In Western PA, Governments Push For Resources To Deal With Landslide Season, Powered By Warming

Remember all that rain last spring and summer? Damage from landslides and flooding last year cost the City of Pittsburgh more than $12 million. Local leaders have every expectation that 2019 will be equally expensive — a problem our city shares with many communities across the state.

In response to the looming crisis, state leaders are pushing for more resources to help combat the flooding and landslides that have become an unfortunate fact of life in Western Pennsylvania. Speaking at an open hearing at Point Park University on March 28, Pennsylvania Auditor General Eugene DePasquale said action at the state level has become more critical as federal authorities have denied emergency funding for extreme weather events caused by global warming.

“In light of how little serious work is being done about the crisis at the national level, it’s up to states to make certain they’re prepared for these potentially devastating impacts,” said DePasquale. “The climate crisis will impact public health and safety, disrupt our economy and create new burdens on taxpayers.”

The open hearing last week was the second stop on the Auditor General’s statewide tour soliciting feedback to inform a special report on Pennsylvania’s response to climate change, which will be released this summer.

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https://www.nextpittsburgh.com/latest-news/as-landslide-season-looms-state-leaders-push-for-resources-to-fight-climate-change/