Oregon to receive millions in federal funds to help counter climate change

Oregon will get to tap into $43.4 million in federal funds to support projects that help mitigate the effects of climate change, Gov. Kate Brown announced Thursday.

The Biden administration approved $3.46 billion for the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s mitigation grant program.

"Every state, tribe, and territory that received a major disaster declaration in response to the COVID-19 pandemic will be eligible to receive 4% of those disaster costs to invest in mitigation projects that reduce risks from natural disasters," FEMA said in a news release.

It called the money a historic investment.

In Oregon, Brown welcomed the news, calling the Biden administration’s approach “proactive, collaborative, and forward-looking.”

“There is no question that climate change is playing out before our own eyes,” she said in a news release. “Forests are burning, lakes are drying up, and people are dying.”

FEMA said the money can be used for projects that reduce risks from things like wildfires, drought, flooding and coastal erosion. Projects can also include retrofits to critical infrastructure.

Earlier this week, it was announced Oregon would receive $35 million in federal grants to help cover the cost of removing debris from last year’s wildfires.