Biden administration launches Heat.gov, announces actions to lower electricity costs as high temperatures hit the U.S.
WASHINGTON— As extreme heat continues to impact the U.S., the Biden administration launched a new website Tuesday to help people understand how the heat is affecting them.
Heat.gov is a "one-stop hub" to help Americans navigate their heat and health, according to the White House.
The administration also announced Wednesday new steps it is taking to lower the cost of electricity bills for working families.
Some of the actions to lower the cost of electricity bills include connecting families to low-cost solar power and launching a new initiative that will help small rural housing authorities make "money-saving energy efficiency upgrades," according to a White House fact sheet.
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More than 600 people in the U.S. die of extreme heat every year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and prevention. Heat alerts were placed in 28 states across the country, from California to New Hampshire, last week.
Here's what you need to know about the new Heat.gov website.
What is Heat.Gov?
Heat.gov is a website that serves as the main source of heat and health news for the country. The site also provides maps, data and information from across federal agencies to help communities. The purpose is to not just inform people, but also help guide them through the necessary steps they can take to prepare for extreme heat weather.
What resources does Heat.gov provide?
When you go through the website, you can expect to see graphics that show how many people across the country are currently under heat advisories, watches, and warnings. The site also features a tab that explains which groups of people are more likely at risk to suffer from extreme heat.
You can also find out how to prepare and plan for extreme heat. The website offers information from different agencies such as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Weather Service, Department of Health and Human Services, and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
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Who is most impacted by extreme heat?
Native American, Black communities and people in rural neighborhoods are disproportionately impacted by extreme heat, , according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
Older people are also more likely to be impacted by heat stress because their bodies do not adjust as well as young people's to different temperatures, CDC reports. In addition, they are more likely to have medical situations that change normal body responses to heat, according to the CDC.
People with chronic conditions such as heart disease, mental illness, bad blood circulation and obesity are also more at risk for heat-related illness.
Who are the partners of Heat.gov?
Heat.gov is a collaboration of the National Integrated Heat Health Information System's federal government partners, according to the White House. Those agencies include:
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
- Environmental Protection Agency
- Federal Emergency Management Agency
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
- Department of Health and Human Services
- Department of Veterans Affairs
- U.S. Forest Service
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
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