MAINE MORNING STAR • June 7, 2024
U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree of Maine introduced legislation this week designed to aid coastal homeowners amid increasingly frequent storms. Pingree and U.S. Rep Greg Murphy (R-NC) put forward the Prevent Environmental Hazards Act on Wednesday. The bill is meant to provide homeowners covered by the National Flood Insurance Program enhanced flexibility in the face of natural disasters. The bill allows National Flood Insurance Program payouts for buildings that have been condemned because of frequent erosion or flooding, permits advance payments for demolition or relocating of up to 40% of a home’s value or $250,000, caps payouts at 40% if an owner doesn’t act before a building collapses.