SC Alaska News

The U.S. Senate has passed a bipartisan bill to reauthorize the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP) through Fiscal Year 2028. The legislation, introduced by Senators Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Alex Padilla of California, will now move to the House of Representatives for consideration.

The bill proposes an annual allocation of $175.4 million from FY24-FY28 for four federal agencies tasked with earthquake risk reduction: the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the National Science Foundation (NSF), and the United States Geological Survey (USGS).

"Alaska faces significant earthquake risks as the most seismically active state—our communities must be prepared," said Senator Murkowski. "The National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program Reauthorization Act provides crucial funding to federal agencies for the research, development, and implementation of earthquake safety procedures."

Senator Padilla emphasized the importance of readiness, stating, "As yesterday’s devastating Northern California earthquakes remind us, it is never a matter of if, but when the next major earthquake will strike."

Michael West, State Seismologist for the Alaska Earthquake Center, highlighted NEHRP's long-standing impact on Alaskan safety: "For nearly five decades, NEHRP has been key to helping Alaskans live in earthquake country." He credited Senator Murkowski's leadership for ensuring that Alaska's needs are addressed.

Bryan Fisher, Director of the Alaska Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, also expressed gratitude for Murkowski's efforts: "NEHRP is an essential program for us to protect lives, property, and the environment following an earthquake or tsunami."

The NEHRP Reauthorization Act outlines specific funding allocations per year from FY 2024-2028: $10.6 million for FEMA, $5.9 million for NIST, $58 million for NSF, and $100.9 million for USGS. The act aims to enhance various aspects such as high-risk building inventories, technical assistance to Tribal governments, and mitigation strategies against earthquake-connected hazards.

Alaska experiences significant seismic activity with over 220,000 earthquakes reported in the past five years alone. The 1964 Good Friday Earthquake remains one of North America's most powerful quakes.

Endorsements for this reauthorization come from several organizations including the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), BuildStrong America, Earthquake Engineering Research Institute (EERI), International Code Council (ICC), National Council of Structural Engineers Associations (NCSEA), National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS), and Seismological Society of America.