New Jersey joins 20-state lawsuit to halt termination of FEMA disaster resilience program
TRENTON, N.J. — New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin has joined a coalition of 20 states in filing a lawsuit to prevent the termination of the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program, which provides funding to help communities prepare for natural disasters.
The lawsuit challenges a decision by the federal government to shut down the BRIC program, which has provided billions of dollars in disaster mitigation funding across the country since its creation. The program was designed to help states and localities bolster their infrastructure before disasters strike, with projects ranging from flood walls and evacuation shelters to utility grid protection and stormwater system upgrades.
“New Jersey has repeatedly been hit by natural disasters including Sandy and Ida,” Platkin said. “Ending BRIC undermines our ability to protect lives and property from future extreme weather events. We’re taking legal action to ensure this program continues to serve our residents.”
The legal challenge, filed in federal court, argues that FEMA’s termination of the BRIC program is unlawful and violates multiple federal statutes. The coalition claims the decision conflicts with Congressional intent, breaches the separation of powers, and was directed by an individual who was not properly confirmed by the U.S. Senate.
According to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, BRIC funds have supported critical resilience projects in the state, including flood mitigation in the Meadowlands, improvements to infrastructure in Jersey City and Hoboken, and upgrades to emergency systems at Port Newark-Elizabeth.
Shawn M. LaTourette, the state’s environmental protection commissioner, said BRIC has helped communities prepare for more frequent and severe weather caused by climate change. “We stand united with states committed to enhancing resilience and protecting lives,” LaTourette said.
Since its inception, FEMA has distributed roughly $4.5 billion in BRIC funding nationwide, with nearly 2,000 projects approved. In New Jersey, the funds have played a role in reducing long-term risks and post-disaster recovery costs.
The states are seeking both a preliminary and permanent injunction to stop the program’s termination and to reinstate BRIC funding for projects already in progress or in development.
States joining New Jersey in the lawsuit include Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania.
