Expanding them means stricter building codes, but critics say new flood zone regions may encourage construction.
"Hampton will become one of "roughly 20,000 communities that will have its sorely out-of-date flood maps upgraded. These maps allow the US to insure some $800 billion worth of low-lying property.
The zoning requires builders to adhere to stricter codes, but critics say the expansion of flood plain zones isn't enough to change what they call an inadequate national flood mitigation policy. Putting new regions into flood zones may actually encourage construction in them, they say, because flood insurance eases the risk for lenders and speculators.
...The paradox that we're dealing with is that, in some sense, establishing good mitigation policies does make it easier to develop in a flood plain..."
FULL STORY: How helpful are new flood zones?
Manufactured Crisis: Losing the Nation’s Largest Source of Unsubsidized Affordable Housing
Manufactured housing communities have long been an affordable housing option for millions of people living in the U.S., but that affordability is disappearing rapidly. How did we get here?
Americans May Be Stuck — But Why?
Americans are moving a lot less than they once did, and that is a problem. While Yoni Applebaum, in his highly-publicized article Stuck, gets the reasons badly wrong, it's still important to ask: why are we moving so much less than before?
Using Old Oil and Gas Wells for Green Energy Storage
Penn State researchers have found that repurposing abandoned oil and gas wells for geothermal-assisted compressed-air energy storage can boost efficiency, reduce environmental risks, and support clean energy and job transitions.
Minneapolis Bans Rent-Setting Software
Four cities have enacted restrictions on algorithmic software that can inflate rent costs.
Oakland to Add 244 New EV Chargers
Oakland plans to launch its new charging network at eight locations by the end of 2025.
Jane Goodall Inspires with Message of Hope, Resilience, and Environmental Action
Speaking in Pasadena, Jane Goodall offered a hopeful and inspirational message, urging global compassion, environmental responsibility, and the power of individual action to shape a better future.
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