Louisiana Rep. Garret Graves (R-LA-6) said climate change “discussions are happening” amongst conservatives and pointed to energy conservation measures as steeped in “Republican ideals.”
“We’re having some meetings that are less formal where people are up for having that discussion,” Graves said, while adding that it’s not “a crowded room” but a starting point. He is committed to pushing for reforms to the federal disaster programs and points to climate denial as an “unsustainable policy position.”
“You can look at the stupidity of our federal disaster policies,” Graves said. Over the summer, a 1000-year rain event and the resulting flooding destroyed over 140,000 houses in Baton Rogue, killing 13 people. “It is costing us significantly more money and having negative ecological impacts.”