Louisiana leaders spoke out against an executive order by President Barack Obama that would put stricter building standards on federally financed projects in flood-prone areas.
The new flood-risk management standard requires infrastructure to be built taller or on higher ground to better withstand flooding. Buildings would have to be built either two or three feet above the base flood elevation for a 100-year flood or above the base elevation for a 500-year flood. A project could also be completed under the guidance of the “best-available, actionable climate science.”
Dwayne Bourgeois, executive director of the North Lafourche Levee District, told Houma Today that the regulations might alter local projects that have already started. South Louisiana's low-lying geography is unlike any other in the country, he said, and should be taken into consideration when federal regulations are made.
U.S. Sens. David Vitter, Bill Cassidy and other Republican representatives are questioning the legality of the executive order. A 60-day comment period is under way before the new standard goes into effect.
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | Feb 18, 2022
Proposal would make all new buildings in Los Angeles carbon-neutral
Los Angeles may become the next large city to ban fossil fuels from new construction if legislation recently introduced in the city council becomes law.
Codes and Standards | Feb 18, 2022
U.S. Army outlines ambitious renewable energy and decarbonization goals
Net-zero emissions in all procurements and a microgrid at every base among aims.
Codes and Standards | Feb 17, 2022
Pandemic won’t alter urban planning
City planners focused on returning to ‘old normal’.
Codes and Standards | Feb 16, 2022
California court rules affordable housing developers exempt from local zoning
Case could set precedent on state law that overrides local rules.
Codes and Standards | Feb 15, 2022
FORTIFIED resiliency standard expanded to include multifamily sector
Voluntary, beyond-code program aims to protect buildings from severe weather.
Codes and Standards | Feb 10, 2022
Number of Americans at risk of flooding to double in 30 years
Most new risk from new development, not climate change.
Codes and Standards | Feb 10, 2022
Intl. Code Council committee on diversity seeks applicants
New board aims to increase diversity in the membership association.
Codes and Standards | Feb 9, 2022
Climate impact of gas stoves in U.S. equal to half a million cars
New study could increase momentum to ban fossil fuels in new buildings.
Codes and Standards | Feb 7, 2022
Energy efficiency ratings not reflecting true energy use
Highest rated U.K. buildings are less efficient than lower rated ones.
Codes and Standards | Feb 3, 2022
Illinois tops USGBC list of states with the most LEED certified projects in 2021
Top 10 states plus D.C. certified more than 247 million gross square feet.
