Bill Overview
Title: Stay Cool Act
Description: This bill addresses risks associated with extreme heat, including through grants and activities that support (1) public preparedness and response to heat emergencies, (2) community-based interventions (e.g., cooling centers), (3) air conditioning and other cooling mechanisms in federally assisted housing, and (4) urban green spaces and vegetation.
Sponsors: Rep. Watson Coleman, Bonnie [D-NJ-12]
Target Audience
Population: People vulnerable to extreme heat events
Estimated Size: 100000000
- Extreme heat events are increasing due to climate change, affecting populations worldwide, especially in urban areas.
- The bill targets those at risk from heat emergencies, primarily in areas with infrastructure lacking adequate cooling solutions.
- Federally assisted housing residents are directly targeted as the bill provides for air conditioning and cooling mechanisms.
- Urban populations, particularly in 'heat islands' that lack green spaces, are a core focus of the bill.
- Low-income groups often have less access to air conditioning or means to escape heat, making them a significant portion of the target population.
Reasoning
- The Stay Cool Act primarily targets people vulnerable to extreme heat events, particularly those living in urban areas that experience heat island effects and those in federally assisted housing lacking adequate cooling. This includes low-income individuals, the elderly, and medically vulnerable populations.
- Since about 82% of the U.S. population resides in urban areas, the policy will have a broader indirect impact on urban residents. However, financial limitations mean direct interventions like air conditioning installations will focus first on those in federally assisted housing.
- The $800 million annual budget means prioritizing areas with the highest immediate need and vulnerability, potentially leaving some medium-risk populations without direct interventions in the short term.
- Over a 10-year period, with increases in urban cooling infrastructure and green spaces, longer-term effects on wellbeing will be more pronounced.
- Each interview reflects different segments of the targeted population to assess varying levels of impact and duration. Some will see immediate benefits through direct interventions, while others may see longer-term gains from broader community changes.
Simulated Interviews
Teacher (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 35 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I worry about the heatwaves during the summer; it's hard to stay cool without high electricity bills.
- Cooling centers would help, especially when ACs can't keep up with the heat.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 3 |
Retired (New York, NY)
Age: 72 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 3
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The summers can be unbearable. I feel trapped in my own home without proper air conditioning.
- If this policy can help me afford AC, it will make a big difference.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 2 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 2 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 2 |
Barista (Miami, FL)
Age: 26 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I struggle during peak summer months. Having access to community cooling centers would really help.
- I'm not sure how much impact planting more trees will have in the short term.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
Construction Worker (Chicago, IL)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The job can be dangerous with the heat, and avoiding heat strokes is a real concern.
- More green spaces could help, but it might take years to see benefits.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 3 |
Unemployed (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 58 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 2
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I can barely afford my current bills, let alone AC.
- It would be life-changing if my building got better cooling systems.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 2 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 2 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 2 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 2 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 2 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 2 |
Office Clerk (Dallas, TX)
Age: 30 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I rely on public transport, which can be a heat trap during summer.
- Cooling centers are good, but would prefer upgrades in public transport cooling.
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 | 5 |
Small Business Owner (Atlanta, GA)
Age: 47 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Running a business without adequate cooling is tough in the summer.
- I would appreciate any update to local infrastructure that keeps my store cooler.
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 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 4 |
Software Developer (Seattle, WA)
Age: 32 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I am mostly indoors during working hours, but I notice the heat rising in the summers.
- The policy might help others more than it helps me directly.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Gardener (Portland, OR)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Green spaces are great for our work and the community.
- More urban trees are both a personal and professional plus for me.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Casino Worker (Las Vegas, NV)
Age: 29 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The desert heat is brutal; cooling at home is inadequate.
- Any improvements in public cooling infrastructure will be appreciated.
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 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $800000000 (Low: $600000000, High: $1000000000)
Year 2: $820000000 (Low: $620000000, High: $1020000000)
Year 3: $840000000 (Low: $640000000, High: $1040000000)
Year 5: $880000000 (Low: $680000000, High: $1080000000)
Year 10: $950000000 (Low: $740000000, High: $1150000000)
Year 100: $1100000000 (Low: $900000000, High: $1300000000)
Key Considerations
- Initial infrastructure investments are significant but can lead to long-term savings and economic benefits.
- The bill is aimed at addressing both immediate and long-term risks associated with climate change-induced heat waves.
- Federal funding and partnerships with local governments are crucial for the successful implementation of the measures proposed in the bill.