Trump administration considers overhauling FEMA’s role in disaster relief

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said she would advise President Donald Trump to dismantle the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in its current form and give local officials more control over disaster aid distribution.

Ian Duncan reports for The Washington Post.

In short:

Noem said on CNN that FEMA should be restructured to allow local officials to decide how federal disaster aid is allocated.
Trump has ordered a review of FEMA, with some officials proposing block grants to states instead of direct federal management.
Any major changes would likely face legal challenges, as FEMA was created by executive order and later established in law by Congress.

Key quote:

“We still need the resources and the funds and the finances to go to people that have these types of disasters, like Hurricane Helene and the fires in California. But you need to let the local officials make the decisions on how that is deployed, so it can be deployed much quicker.”

— Kristi Noem, U.S. Department of Homeland Security secretary

Why this matters:

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has long been a cornerstone of the United States' disaster response system, offering crucial aid to communities struck by hurricanes, wildfires, floods and other calamities. However, debates about the agency’s effectiveness and whether control of disaster response should be shifted to individual states have gained traction. Advocates for decentralizing disaster management argue that allowing states to take the lead could streamline operations and reduce delays in critical moments. Others question whether states have the resources to execute effective and equitable disaster relief, suggesting reform rather than elimination of the agency.

www.washingtonpost.com

Trump administration considers overhauling FEMA’s role in disaster relief

How Saudi oil scientists ended up working on the world’s most important climate reports

Nepal’s Gen Z is taking on the world’s polluters over climate disasters

Climate super-pollutant from China’s electric grid is cooking the planet

Organic beef has a larger carbon footprint than feedlot beef

Tribes hit hard by wildfires face health effects, cultural losses

Rooftop rainwater sprinkler systems could help cool warming cities, study says

Judge says EPA illegally canceled $7B solar program

Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

One facility has emitted cancer-causing chemicals into waterways at levels up to 520% higher than legal limits.

Pennsylvania health advocates say Trump’s first 100 days in office have caused “100 harms” to local communities

“They're terrorizing these scientists because they want to keep them silent.”

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

"The reality is, we are not exposed to one chemical at a time.”

Two years into his term, has Gov. Shapiro kept his promises to regulate Pennsylvania’s fracking industry?

A new report assesses the administration’s progress and makes new recommendations

An open letter from EPA staff to the American public

“We cannot stand by and allow this to happen. We need to hold this administration accountable.”

New evidence links heavy metal pollution with wildfire retardants

“The chemical black box” that blankets wildfire-impacted areas is increasingly under scrutiny.