Leaders across Georgia are joining forces to address the pressing need for resilience planning amid rising risks of severe storms.

The Institute for Resilient Infrastructure Systems at the University of Georgia, along with the Atlanta Regional Commission and the Pew Charitable Trusts, recently convened experts and stakeholders to explore collaborative strategies, policy creation and resource allocation necessary to support communities statewide.

Kristiane Huber, officer for The Pew Charitable Trusts, emphasized the collaborative effort is laying the foundation for sustainable solutions throughout Georgia.

"State governments can learn which communities really have what needs, what are their vulnerabilities," Huber explained. "It helps to identify where there are already resources and where there are communities that are already acting and investing locally in resilience."

Huber highlighted the process plays a crucial role in directing funding toward areas with the greatest needs. Research supported by Pew showed approximately 17 states, including South Carolina, have established resiliency officers who have successfully implemented projects and secured funding to safeguard lives and properties within their respective communities.

Alan Robertson, principal of AWR Strategic Consulting, has been leading resilience projects at Tybee Island. Robertson stressed the necessity of proactive planning, particularly after the significant hurricane damage experienced between 2016 and 2017.

"The most important thing is to bring common issues that communities face, bring it forward to the federal government," Robertson urged. "The state can help us prioritize. Tybee may be doing something that is applicable to someone in the western part of the state, but a state office could find us and put us together."

Tybee Island has since conducted vulnerability assessments and devised comprehensive resilience plans focused on protecting the beach, marshes, rivers and port areas. However, Robertson acknowledged despite their efforts, vulnerabilities relating to hurricanes and flooding persist. He emphasized there is a need for collaborative efforts at all levels to further enhance their resilience.

Inland areas such as Atlanta are grappling with increased droughts alongside flooding concerns.

Katherine Zitsch, deputy COO of the Atlanta Regional Commission, said it increases the need for the strategic management of stormwater and water supply infrastructure due to the region's growing population.

"When it comes to increased drought, it's not something that you can just snap your finger and suddenly have additional water supply," Zitsch pointed out. "We really need to be thinking 20 and 30 years into the future about what our needs are, how we can grow responsibly, how we can work on water conservation and efficiency to make sure we're using water wisely in order to be resilient."

With Georgia experiencing more than 120 climate-related disasters exceeding $1 billion in damages, leaders emphasize the importance of ongoing discussions. Zitsch noted the conversations can drive impactful investments, policy formation and collaborative actions across government, business and nonprofit sectors, both at the state and local levels.

Many Floridians online are expressing concerns over the DeSantis administration's surprise proposal to add golf courses, pickleball courts and lodges throughout the state's award-winning park system.

The initiative, which some argued could redefine Gov. Ron DeSantis' conservation record, has ignited a firestorm of public backlash. The proposed changes include building a golf course at Jonathan Dickinson State Park and constructing park lodges with 350-room capacities at Anastasia and Topsail Hill Preserve state parks.

Julie Wraithmell, executive director of Audubon Florida, expressed concern over the proposals' content and the expedited timeline for public input.

"Because it's happening so quickly," Wraithmell explained. "The announcement came out on Tuesday, and public meetings available for comment are as quick as next Tuesday during the workday when many Floridians won't be able to attend."

With just six days to review the sweeping park plans, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection will hold simultaneous, in-person-only meetings across the state. All meetings are set for Tuesday from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.

A growing bipartisan group of elected officials, including Sen. Kathleen Passidomo, R-Naples, president of the Senate, have called for the proposal not to move forward, saying it is "not in line with the peaceful and quiet enjoyment of nature." DeSantis spokesman Jeremy Redfern said Thursday, "It's high time we made public lands more accessible to the public."

Critics argued the developments conflict with the traditional purpose of Florida's state parks, which have long been celebrated for their natural beauty and environmental significance. Wraithmell pointed out the potential ecological effects, especially at Jonathan Dickinson State Park, home to endangered species such as the Florida scrub jay.

"The idea that we would be trading habitat without which this iconic Florida species can't survive, and instead we'd be getting yet another golf course that's left a lot of Floridians kind of scratching their heads over the wisdom of this proposal," Wraithmell asserted.

Several members of Florida's Cabinet, including Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson and Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis, have also voiced opposition to the proposals.


get more stories like this via email

This past Friday marked the second anniversary of the Inflation Reduction Act, a milestone for Ohioans looking to make their buildings and homes more energy efficient.

Tax credits in the IRA have provided crucial financial incentives, and some Ohioans - both homeowners and businesses - have been taking advantage of them.

But Marcus Hazelwood, director of building optimization with EA Energy Solutions, said not everyone is aware of how tax deductions can offset the initial cost of energy-efficient upgrades - so it's important to keep getting the word out, especially to business owners.

"Helping them understand that with their existing infrastructure, the opportunity to see how a source of funding and capital to improve their buildings - which in the long term reduces their operational costs," said Hazelwood, "this is kind of supporting the initial up-front capital needed."

Ohio's new energy code simplifies qualifying for IRA deductions, which backers say also promote economic growth by supporting well-paid local jobs.

But critics of the IRA have said its cost is too high and that it doesn't do enough to lower the cost of energy-efficient products and services.

Ben Evans - federal legislative director with the U.S. Green Building Council - said the IRA isn't focused only on businesses, but also has benefits for individual property owners.

He explained that the versatility of the tax incentives, grants, and low-cost financing allows homeowners to maximize their savings and make meaningful improvements to their property.

"And the beauty of the Inflation Reduction Act is that you can combine a lot of these," said Evans. "It's not like you have to just pick one. You can get a couple of different tax incentives for the same project. Let's say you're renovating a building and you're also adding some rooftop solar. You can get tax incentives for each of those."

The IRA is made up of multiple programs, like the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, to boost energy efficiency.

Evans said Ohio is well-positioned to lead in this area, and that people have ample time to leverage these incentives over the next decade.




get more stories like this via email

The Inflation Reduction Act turns two today and one expert contended its impact in the state of Nevada has been significant.

Shannon Heyck-Williams, associate vice president of climate and energy for the National Wildlife Federation, said the legislation has kicked off growth in the clean energy economy in the Silver State and across the nation. She added the benefits made possible through the law have led to the creation of thousands of jobs and unleashed billions of dollars in private-sector investments at the state level.

"A lot of that growth is from renewable energy development," Heyck-Williams pointed out. "Solar power in particular is taking off in a big way in Nevada, and bringing that clean energy to the state and to the residents there."

She noted as the transition to electric vehicles also gains momentum, the Inflation Reduction Act and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law include investments for EV charging infrastructure. There are close to 2,200 charging stations throughout Nevada, according to PlugShare. Since transportation is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions, Heyck-Williams stressed investments in infrastructure are key.

The cost of the climate provisions in the measure, at around $730 billion, has drawn criticism, since it surpasses what was initially expected. But the Center for American Progress claims over the next decade, the savings made possible through the legislation will exceed the costs.

Heyck-Williams said the law is also helping to lessen the economic burden of energy-efficiency upgrades for homes and businesses.

"It includes credits to help homeowners be able to upgrade their appliances," Heyck-Williams outlined. "To be able to finally afford that new electric vehicle, to be able to replace dirty school buses for their kids with electric, clean school buses."

Heyck-Williams emphasized climate change is already here and is a serious problem communities in Nevada are facing. She contends the major federal investments are critical tools for a cleaner future.

"If they are implemented as planned, they should reduce those emissions by about 40%," Heyck-Williams reported. "Which is significant and puts us on track in the direction that we need to go, to actually get to a midcentury goal of net-zero emissions overall."