Bill Overview
Title: Insular Area Climate Change Act
Description: This bill provides support through programs and financial assistance for climate change planning, mitigation, adaptation, and resilience in U.S. territories (American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands) and the Freely Associated States (Micronesia, Marshall Islands, and Palau). For example, the bill requires the Technical Assistance Program of the Department of the Interior's Office of Insular Affairs to provide technical assistance for climate change planning, mitigation, adaptation, and resilience to the territories and Freely Associated States. It also establishes an Insular Area National Program Office within the Environmental Protection Agency to build and strengthen infrastructure to withstand natural disasters, expand renewable energy and energy efficiency, and provide technical assistance in the territories and Freely Associated States. Additionally, the bill establishes several grant programs to assess and reduce the impacts of climate change, expand renewable energy and energy efficiency, or expand sustainable infrastructure to withstand natural disasters in the territories and Freely Associated States.
Sponsors: Rep. Grijalva, Raúl M. [D-AZ-3]
Target Audience
Population: People in U.S. territories and Freely Associated States impacted by climate change
Estimated Size: 3600000
- The bill targets U.S. territories including American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, as these areas are directly named in the bill.
- It also targets the Freely Associated States, which include Micronesia, the Marshall Islands, and Palau.
- The legislation focuses on climate change planning, mitigation, adaptation, and resilience, indicating it will impact these areas by providing financial and technical assistance for such efforts.
Reasoning
- The target population for this policy largely includes individuals residing in U.S. territories and the Freely Associated States. These areas often face unique challenges related to climate change, including vulnerability to natural disasters, limited resources for infrastructure development, and high dependency on imports, making them prime candidates for policy impact.
- Due to its focus on climate resilience and infrastructure, the policy is less likely to directly affect individuals living in mainland U.S. states but may indirectly impact them through changes in federal budget allocations or shifts in climate-related strategies.
- Given the budget constraints, a careful selection of recipients is necessary to maximize effective utilization of resources. Territories with larger populations, such as Puerto Rico, might see a concentrated application of resources.
Simulated Interviews
Environmental Scientist (Puerto Rico)
Age: 37 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy brings much-needed resources to the island, enabling better planning and infrastructure.
- Climate change effects are felt directly through extreme weather events, making resilience crucial for the community.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 4 |
Renewable Energy Technician (Guam)
Age: 25 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The funding for renewable energy could lead to job stability and economic boost in Guam.
- Transitioning to sustainable energy sources is essential due to limited local resources.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 4 |
Small Business Owner (Northern Mariana Islands)
Age: 42 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Increased resilience measures could protect businesses from climate impacts.
- Investment in infrastructure is essential for maintaining economic stability.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 2 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 2 |
Teacher (U.S. Virgin Islands)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Educating the youth on environmental impacts is crucial, and policy support can enhance this.
- Community resilience projects help in disaster preparedness.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 3 |
Government Employee (American Samoa)
Age: 30 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy provides a framework to modernize infrastructure in line with climate challenges.
- Technical assistance is vital for effective policy implementation.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 4 |
Retired (Marshall Islands)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Adapting to climate change is necessary for survival here.
- Policy efforts must prioritize vulnerable populations like the elderly.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 2 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 1 |
Fisher (Palau)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The grant programs can support sustainable practices that help preserve marine life.
- Climate mitigation efforts are crucial for preserving local livelihoods.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 2 |
Student (Puerto Rico)
Age: 28 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The educational components of the policy are beneficial for academic and professional development.
- Implementing renewable energy sources is beneficial for future career opportunities.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 3 |
Healthcare Worker (Micronesia)
Age: 39 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Improving infrastructure will help in delivering better healthcare services during emergencies.
- The plan will help in reducing health risks associated with climate change.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 2 |
Policy Analyst (U.S. Mainland)
Age: 33 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 20/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Although I am not directly affected, the policy indicates a positive shift toward inclusive climate action.
- The policy might serve as a model for developing similar support mechanisms in the mainland.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $300000000 (Low: $250000000, High: $350000000)
Year 2: $300000000 (Low: $250000000, High: $350000000)
Year 3: $320000000 (Low: $270000000, High: $370000000)
Year 5: $350000000 (Low: $300000000, High: $400000000)
Year 10: $400000000 (Low: $350000000, High: $450000000)
Year 100: $800000000 (Low: $750000000, High: $850000000)
Key Considerations
- The feasibility and readiness of renewable energy projects in insular areas.
- Logistical challenges in providing technical assistance due to geographic isolation.
- Potential environmental and ecological impacts of new infrastructure developments.