Washington, D.C. — On the heels of record-breaking temperatures this year, a new report from the Center for American Progress urges Congress to safeguard low-income Americans from the dangers of extreme heat.
Extreme heat killed more than 2,300 people in the United States in 2023, and the risk of heat-related illness and death is particularly high for those who don’t have air conditioning or cannot afford to run it. Nationwide, 11 percent of households—14 million—do not have air conditioning, and many are in regions with above-average temperatures.
The report argues that Congress and other federal policymakers should take the following actions to safeguard households and communities from extreme heat risks brought on by climate change:
- Secure cool and healthy homes for all by investing in point-of-sale rebates for efficient and cost-effective heat pump air conditioning targeted to low- and moderate-income households.
- Invest in programs to help households save money on their energy bills, reduce production cost for high-efficiency heat pumps so they are widely available for cooling and heating, and lower extreme heat risks in schools and communities.
- Make extreme heat events eligible for disaster declarations and improve the accuracy of reported heat-related illness and death.
“Congress and other federal leaders must take these lifesaving steps to protect public health and safety from more extreme heat caused by climate change,” said Cathleen Kelly, senior fellow at CAP and co-author of the report. “These actions will build on the unprecedented progress that the Biden-Harris administration has made to accelerate the transition to a clean energy economy.”
Read the report: “How Congress Can Protect Families From Dangerous Heat and Ensure Cool and Healthy Homes for All” by Cathleen Kelly, Lucero Marquez, and Jasia Smith
For more information on this topic or to speak with an expert, please contact Sam Hananel at [email protected].