Facing the threat of extreme weather, coastal regions of the U.S. are stepping up protection efforts
BOSTON — State officials along the East and Gulf Coasts are pushing for projects worth billions of dollars to protect populous coastal regions from rising oceans and extreme weather.
In Maine, Democrats are seeking a public vote on a $50 million bond to fund a steel waterfront infrastructure to protect against rising sea levels. Florida’s new Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Republican, recently proposed investing $2.5 billion to protect the Everglades and the appointment of a chief science officer to address environmental concerns. Louisiana’s Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards pledged $55 million in state surplus and about $300 million in offshore oil revenue for coastal and levee improvements.
In Massachusetts—where a tidal surge last year pushed the water level at Boston Harbor to the highest ever recorded, causing flooding—Republican Gov. Charlie Baker proposed raising the tax on real-estate transfers by 50% in much of the state to generate more than $1 billion over the next decade. The funds would help local communities fortify infrastructure from sea walls to flood-control systems.
The Wall Street Journal
By Jennifer Levitz and Cameron McWhirter
Feb. 3, 2019 11:00 a.m. ET