S. 1743: Extreme Heat Economic Study Act of 2025

This bill, known as the Extreme Heat Economic Study Act of 2025, aims to assess the financial impacts of extreme heat on health and property. Here’s a breakdown of what the bill entails:

Conducting an Economic Impact Study

The Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere is tasked with leading a comprehensive economic study on the financial costs associated with extreme heat. This study will be executed in collaboration with various federal and state agencies, including the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and public health departments.

Key Elements of the Study

The economic impact study will focus on several specific areas, including:

• Health Impacts: Evaluation of health consequences resulting from extreme heat, including mortality and morbidity rates, using standardized methods for valuing human life.
• Property Damage: Assessment of damage or loss to property linked to extreme heat.
• Medical Costs: Analysis of the medical assistance needed as a result of extreme heat events, covering costs related to emergency room visits, urgent care, and hospitalization.
• Insurance Claims: Examination of life and health insurance claims associated with extreme heat, as well as workers’ compensation data focusing on heat-related claims.
• Labor Productivity Losses: Review of existing research on productivity losses due to extreme heat conditions.
• Business Interruptions: Analysis of claims related to business interruptions caused by heat-related power outages and other disruptions.
• Infrastructure Impacts: Assessment of economic losses due to the adverse effects of heat on essential infrastructure, such as transportation, energy, and water supply.
• Energy Costs: Consideration of increased energy expenses associated with cooling needs during extreme heat events.
• Agricultural Effects: Evaluation of the impacts of heat on crops and livestock, including insurance claims related to these effects.

Gathering Feedback

To enhance the accuracy and comprehensiveness of the study, the Under Secretary will solicit input from various sources, such as:

• Federal agencies, including the CDC, the Department of Agriculture, and the Environmental Protection Agency.
• Non-federal governmental partners.
• Other relevant entities determined by the Under Secretary.

Recommendations and Reporting

The study will culminate in recommendations aimed at developing a national system to:

• Track healthcare and other costs arising from increased medical assistance needs during extreme heat.
• Improve heat death reporting accuracy.
• Measure labor productivity losses due to extreme heat.

The findings will be published on the HEAT.gov website within four years following the bill's enactment, along with the authorization for public access to the data, methods, and results. This will include publication in an open-access peer-reviewed journal, adhering to NOAA's scientific integrity policies.

Funding for the Study

The bill specifies that $3,500,000 will be authorized for appropriation to support the execution of the study.

Relevant Companies

None found