Bill Overview
Title: Excess Urban Heat Mitigation Act of 2022
Description: This bill requires the Department of Housing and Urban Development 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.
Sponsors: Sen. Brown, Sherrod [D-OH]
Target Audience
Population: People living in urban areas susceptible to excess heat
Estimated Size: 270000000
- Urban areas around the world experience what is known as the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect, which causes cities to be warmer than their surrounding rural areas.
- This UHI effect is influenced by factors such as densely built environments, large amounts of concrete and asphalt, and reduced vegetation.
- A significant portion of the global population resides in urban areas, with an increasing trend towards urbanization.
- Climate change exacerbates the issue of extreme heat in urban areas, potentially impacting large populations vulnerable to heat-related health issues.
- Urban populations are not uniformly affected; vulnerable groups include the elderly, children, and low-income families who may lack access to air conditioning or adequate housing.
Reasoning
- The policy targets urban populations which are highly prevalent in the US, with around 82% of the population living in urban areas.
- Given the policy's budget constraints, not all affected urban areas may receive immediate relief due to the diversity of climate needs and city structures.
- Priority will likely be given to areas with significant vulnerable populations, such as low-income neighborhoods lacking green spaces.
- The policy might have a varying impact across different regions, heavily depending on the effectiveness of local implementations.
- While some areas might see notable improvements in living conditions, others might perceive the changes as less significant, leading to varied reports of subjective wellbeing.
Simulated Interviews
Retired teacher (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 72 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I struggle in the summer months and the heat makes it hard for me to go outside.
- If there are more shaded areas or cooling centers, I would be more comfortable.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 2 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 2 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 1 |
Construction worker (New York City, NY)
Age: 35 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It gets really hot working outside in the summer.
- If there were more trees or shaded spots, it would make my job bearable.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 2 |
College student (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 25 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The heat is unbearable in the summer, especially indoors.
- A program that cools down the living areas would be great.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 3 |
Small business owner (Houston, TX)
Age: 44 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- High utility bills due to air conditioning costs hurt my business.
- Reducing urban heat could help lower these costs.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 3 |
School teacher (Chicago, IL)
Age: 58 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Teaching in the heat is tough for both me and the kids.
- If classrooms were cooler, it would make a big difference in learning.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 2 |
High school student (Miami, FL)
Age: 17 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I have trouble sleeping in the summer because it's too hot.
- If our area was cooler, I'd feel more comfortable.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 2 |
Hospital nurse (Detroit, MI)
Age: 30 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- After long shifts, going home to a hot apartment is tiring.
- Any relief from the heat would be welcome.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 2 |
IT professional (Atlanta, GA)
Age: 41 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I spend a lot on cooling during summer.
- Improvements in urban heat management could lower costs.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 4 |
Gardener (Seattle, WA)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Although the summers are getting hotter, it's not too extreme yet.
- If shading and vegetation were increased, it might help in future.
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 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
Freelance writer (Denver, CO)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I notice more hot days, but it's not unmanageable.
- Better urban planning to address heat would be beneficial.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 4 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $1500000000 (Low: $1200000000, High: $1800000000)
Year 2: $1600000000 (Low: $1300000000, High: $1900000000)
Year 3: $1700000000 (Low: $1400000000, High: $2000000000)
Year 5: $1800000000 (Low: $1500000000, High: $2100000000)
Year 10: $2000000000 (Low: $1700000000, High: $2300000000)
Year 100: $2000000000 (Low: $1700000000, High: $2300000000)
Key Considerations
- Grant application and selection processes need to be clear, fair, and efficient to ensure timely disbursement.
- Coordination among federal, state, and local governments will be essential for successful implementation.
- Projects need to show demonstrable effectiveness in mitigating urban heat for continued funding.