Bill Overview
Title: Excess Urban Heat Mitigation Act of 2022
Description: This bill requires the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to establish a grant program for state, tribal and local governments; metropolitan planning organizations; and certain nonprofits (or consortia of nonprofits) to carry out activities to mitigate heat in urban areas. HUD must coordinate with the Environmental Protection Agency on the program.
Sponsors: Rep. Gallego, Ruben [D-AZ-7]
Target Audience
Population: People living in urban areas globally
Estimated Size: 270000000
- The bill targets urban areas, which are home to more than half of the world's population, thus potentially impacting billions of people globally.
- Urban areas often experience the urban heat island effect, leading to higher temperatures than rural areas, directly affecting the health and wellbeing of urban populations.
- The grant program will aid governments and organizations, meaning the execution will directly impact individuals living in urban centers.
- People in regions particularly prone to high temperatures would be directly impacted by reduced heat exposure, potentially leading to better health outcomes and quality of life.
Reasoning
- This policy is specifically designed to address urban heat problems, and because urban areas in the U.S. are extremely varied in terms of demographic, socio-economic status, and geography, a wide range of experiences will be represented.
- The policy's budget is significant and aims to create a large-scale impact across urban centers, but cost constraints mean not everyone can be directly affected or see immediate results.
- Simulated people include diverse locations within the U.S. to account for regional temperature variances and how these might influence perceptions and benefits of the policy.
- The impact of the policy on Cantril wellbeing scores depends on current exposure to urban heat, as well as expectations about how effectively the policy is implemented.
- Certain populations including the elderly, low-income, and health-compromised individuals may experience heightened impact due to greater vulnerability to heat.
Simulated Interviews
Elementary School Teacher (Phoenix, Arizona)
Age: 35 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Urban heat is a real problem here, especially during summer.
- The school where I work is struggling to keep the classrooms cool.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 2 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 2 |
Retired (Chicago, Illinois)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm worried about getting out during the hot summer days.
- I'm hopeful that this program will cool down my neighborhood.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Software Developer (New York City, New York)
Age: 28 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The heat doesn't affect me too much since I stay inside most days.
- Still, I think it's important to have cool public spaces.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Nurse (Miami, Florida)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The heat in Miami is unbearable and dangerous for my patients.
- Any reduction in urban heat would help both me and the people I care for.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 3 |
Construction Worker (Dallas, Texas)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Hot days are common here making it tough to work outside.
- This policy might reduce some of that heat burden, which would be great.
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 |
University Student (Los Angeles, California)
Age: 22 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The high temperatures make it stressful traveling around the city.
- If this policy improves shade and cooling, it would be easier to get around.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Retired Engineer (Houston, Texas)
Age: 70 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm able to maintain a comfortable environment at home, but it's good to know communities will be more heat resilient.
- This policy could make outdoor activities more manageable for everyone.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Restaurant Owner (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
Age: 33 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- High temperatures increase operating costs at my restaurant.
- If this policy can improve the city climate, it would be positive for business too.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Freelance Writer (Seattle, Washington)
Age: 38 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Seattle has milder temperatures but still faces urban heat issues.
- I support policies addressing climate, even if Seattle's impact is less severe.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Electrician (Atlanta, Georgia)
Age: 55 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Heatwaves make my job even tougher.
- I look forward to seeing the community cool down if this policy works.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $300000000 (Low: $250000000, High: $350000000)
Year 2: $300000000 (Low: $250000000, High: $350000000)
Year 3: $300000000 (Low: $250000000, High: $350000000)
Year 5: $300000000 (Low: $250000000, High: $350000000)
Year 10: $300000000 (Low: $250000000, High: $350000000)
Year 100: $300000000 (Low: $250000000, High: $350000000)
Key Considerations
- The effectiveness relies on collaboration between governments and varying stakeholders.
- Implementation should be evaluated frequently to ensure funds are appropriately allocated.
- Potential indirect benefits include health improvements and reduced energy costs.
- Ecological and economic impacts need equitable distribution to avoid exacerbating existing inequalities.