President-elect Donald Trump has chosen Governor Kristi Noem of South Dakota to head the Department of Homeland Security, which includes the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Noem has been skeptical about climate change, questioning the impact of human activities on rising temperatures. She has refused federal climate funding and rejected EPA planning grants offered by the Biden administration to address climate pollution.
Noem’s decision to decline a $4 billion Energy Department program that would have provided funding for energy-efficient home appliances and improvements, as well as FEMA grants for resilience projects, has raised concerns about her commitment to addressing climate-related disasters. South Dakota’s low collection rate of FEMA funds under her leadership has also come under scrutiny.
While Noem’s focus is expected to be on border and immigration issues if confirmed, her stance on climate change is in stark contrast to current DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell, who emphasize the connection between intensifying natural disasters and climate change.
Criticism of Noem’s handling of natural disasters, such as major flooding in South Dakota, has brought attention to her decision-making and response strategies. Despite facing backlash for not activating the National Guard during the flooding, she later requested and received federal disaster aid for affected residents.
Noem’s interactions with the Biden administration and her involvement in legal challenges to climate initiatives, such as the SEC’s requirement for companies to disclose climate change risks, reflect her opposition to certain climate policies. Her hiring of a lobbying firm and meetings with federal officials indicate her efforts to secure resources for South Dakota.
Throughout her political career, Noem has emphasized respect as a core value, rooted in her experience growing up on a farm in South Dakota. Her approach to governance, as outlined in her memoirs, reflects a commitment to conservative principles and a strong stance on issues like border security and economic policies.
As Noem faces confirmation hearings and potential leadership of DHS, her past actions and statements on climate change, disaster response, and federal funding will likely be scrutinized. The implications of her appointment for climate policy and disaster management remain a topic of debate and concern among environmental advocates and policymakers.