WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) introduced legislation to expand access to resources and funding to address the damages and losses resulting from extreme heat, including in communities like Las Vegas and Reno, which are the two fastest warming cities in the United States. The Extreme Heat Emergency Act would allow extreme heat to qualify as a major disaster under the Stafford Act, which recognizes fires, floods, explosions, and natural catastrophes such as hurricanes, tornadoes, and earthquakes as disasters eligible for a Major Disaster Declaration from the President.
Las Vegas Review-Journal: Jacky Rosen bill would classify extreme heat as a ‘major disaster’
By Jessica Hill
- As Las Vegas continues to feel the effects of extreme heat, U.S. Sen. Jacky Rosen has introduced legislation that would give communities access to more resources and funding by recognizing extreme heat as a major disaster.
- The Extreme Heat Emergency Act, introduced Wednesday, would classify extreme heat as a major disaster under the Stafford Act, which recognizes events like floods, fires, explosions, hurricanes, earthquakes and tornadoes as disasters eligible for a presidential Major Disaster Declaration, according to a statement from Rosen’s office.
- “The extreme heat waves this summer have brought record-breaking temperatures to our state, putting communities and people at risk,” Rosen said in a statement.
- Reno and Las Vegas are the two fastest-warming cities in the country, according to Climate Central, a policy-neutral nonprofit made up of scientists. From 1970 to 2023, Reno’s annual average temperature increased 7.6 degrees Fahrenheit, and Las Vegas’ increased 5.7 degrees, followed by El Paso, Texas, at 5.4 degrees.
KTNV Las Vegas: Rosen bill would allow president to declare major disasters for extreme heat
By Adam Forgie
- A new bill proposed by Sen. Jacky Rosen, D-Nev., would allow extreme heat to qualify for a major disaster declaration from the president, opening up federal funding and resources to help offset related costs.
- Rosen’s “Extreme Heat Emergency Act” would allow extreme heat to qualify as a disaster under the Stafford Act. Disasters such as hurricanes, earthquakes, fires, floods, and tornadoes already qualify under the act.
- The news comes as Las Vegas will likely have its hottest month ever in July. Las Vegas and Reno are two of the fastest-warming cities, according to Climate Central.
- “The extreme heat waves this summer have brought record-breaking temperatures to our state, putting communities and people at risk,” Rosen said. “I’m introducing legislation to ensure more funding and resources are available to states like Nevada for damages related to extreme heat events. I’ll always work to ensure our state gets the fair share of federal resources we need to keep Nevadans safe.”
KSNV Las Vegas: Nevada’s Rosen seeks federal funding, resources to address extreme heat
- U.S. Sen. Jacky Rosen, D-Nevada, is pushing for the federal government to help address damage from extreme heat.
- Rosen on Wednesday introduced a bill to allow extreme heat to qualify as a major disaster and receive a declaration for aid from the president.
- Her office says the legislation comes in the wake of record-breaking heat in Las Vegas and Reno, two of the fastest-warming cities in the U.S.
- “I’m introducing legislation to ensure more funding and resources are available to states like Nevada for damages related to extreme heat events,” Rosen said in a statement. “I’ll always work to ensure our state gets the fair share of federal resources we need to keep Nevadans safe.”
KOLO Reno: New Rosen bill would allow extreme heat to qualify for major disaster declaration
- A new bill from U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen would allow extreme heat conditions to qualify for a major disaster declaration.
- The Extreme Heat Emergency Act would allow major heat waves to qualify as a major disaster under the Stafford Act, which recognizes fires, floods, explosions, and natural catastrophes like hurricanes, tornadoes, and earthquakes as eligible to receive a major disaster declaration from the President.
- “The extreme heat waves this summer have brought record-breaking temperatures to our state, putting communities and people at risk,” said Senator Rosen. “I’m introducing legislation to ensure more funding and resources are available to states like Nevada for damages related to extreme heat events. I’ll always work to ensure our state gets the fair share of federal resources we need to keep Nevadans safe.”
KTVN Reno: Rosen intros bill to make funding & resources available for damages due to extreme heat
Anchor: “U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen introduced a new bill to make funding and resources available for damages due to extreme heat, particularly in communities like Las Vegas and Reno. The Extreme Heat Emergency Act would allow extreme heat to qualify as a Major Disaster under the Stafford Act, which recognizes fires, floods, explosions, and natural catastrophes like hurricanes, tornadoes, and earthquakes as disasters eligible for a Major Disaster Declaration from the President.”
KRXI Reno: Rosen intros bill to make funding & resources available for damages due to extreme heat
Anchor: “Nevada Senator Jacky Rosen has introduced legislation to expand access to resources and funding to address the damages and losses returning and resulting from that extreme heat. The Extreme Heat Emergency Act will allow extreme heat to qualify as a major disaster under the Stafford Act. The [Stafford] Act is what recognizes natural disasters such as fires or floods as disasters that are eligible for a Major Disaster Declaration from the President. The legislation comes in the wake of Nevada’s recent record-breaking heat wave, and Reno and Las Vegas are considered two of the fastest warming cities in all of the United States.”
KRNV Reno: Rosen intros bill to make funding & resources available for damages due to extreme heat
Anchor: “Jacky Rosen has also introduced legislation to expand access to resources and funding to address the damages and losses resulting from extreme heat. The Extreme Heat Emergency Act would allow extreme heat to qualify as a major disaster under the Stafford Act. The [Stafford] Act is what recognizes natural disasters such as fires or floods as disasters eligible for a Major Disaster Declaration from the President. The legislation comes in the wake of Nevada’s recent record-breaking heat wave. Reno and Las Vegas are considered two of the fastest warming cities in the country.”
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