Urgency in Investment for Resilient Infrastructure
Today, the National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS) organized a significant Congressional Briefing aimed at addressing the critical need for investing in robust and resilient infrastructure systems. This event, hosted by The High-Performance Building Coalition, centers on retrofitting and enhancing existing structures to withstand future challenges.
Focus on Resilience and Economic Returns
The briefing introduced the NIBS Consultative Council's latest report, titled Moving Forward. This 2025 report highlights a compelling assertion: for every dollar spent on resilience initiatives, communities can expect an impressive return of up to $13 from losses avoided. This statistic emphasizes the necessity of aligning incentives, investments, and community benefits to achieve optimal results for lives and livelihoods across the country.
Expert Panel Highlights Practical Strategies
A panel of distinguished experts shared vital insights on several topics:
Building and Public Infrastructure Retrofitting
The panel discussed evidence-based strategies tailored for retrofitting buildings and enhancing public infrastructure, thus positioning communities to better face potential disasters.
Community Resilience Policies
Alongside retrofitting techniques, the panel also explored policy pathways that could bolster community resilience, ensuring that municipalities are better prepared for future challenges.
Legislation to Support Infrastructure Resilience
One of the critical legislative discussions centered around the bipartisan bill known as the FIREWALL Act or S. 1323. Supported by Senators Adam Schiff and Tim Sheehy, this significant bill aims to promote community resilience, specifically through offering new federal tax credits designed to incentivize resilient infrastructure investments.
Engaging Leaders from the Built Environment
The panel featured a group of influential leaders from various sectors within the built environment:
George Guszcza - President and CEO, National Institute of Building Sciences
Tom Smith - Executive Director, American Society of Civil Engineers
Lisa Washington - Executive Director, Design Build Institute of America
Aaron Davis - Deputy Executive Director, BuildStrong America
Aaron Levy - Vice President, International Code Council
Christina Beros - Legislative Aide, Senator Adam Schiff
Addressing Disaster Preparedness Challenges
With the alarming statistic of 27 billion-dollar disasters recorded, the discussions during the briefing underscored the pressing need for proactive legislative measures and investments. The consensus among the panelists was clear: by prioritizing resilience-focused legislation and infrastructure investment, we can protect lives, safeguard properties, and ultimately lower long-term costs for communities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main goal of the Congressional Briefing held by NIBS?
The primary aim is to highlight the urgent need for investments in resilient infrastructure that can withstand future disasters.
What does the NIBS report say about investing in resilience?
According to the NIBS report, every dollar spent on resilience initiatives can yield up to $13 in savings from avoided losses.
Who are the key leaders involved in promoting infrastructure resilience?
Key leaders include George Guszcza, Tom Smith, Lisa Washington, Aaron Davis, Aaron Levy, and Christina Beros.
What is the FIREWALL Act?
The FIREWALL Act, or S. 1323, is a bipartisan bill that aims to enhance community resilience through a federal tax credit to encourage infrastructure investments.
Why is community resilience important?
Community resilience is essential to protect lives and property while reducing long-term economic costs associated with disasters.
