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Wind insurance a blow to environment, taxpayers

November 16, 2007

The TImes Union

David Jenkins

The Times Union's editorial "How not to help" (Nov. 7) thankfully joined a growing number of voices expressing caution about the perils of adding wind insurance to the National Flood Insurance Program.

Adding wind insurance to the NFIP essentially lulls property owners into a false sense of security and promotes building -- and rebuilding -- in coastal areas routinely slammed by tropical storms and hurricanes. Given the effect of climate change, larger and more destructive storms will be a routine phenomenon, which is why it's ridiculous for the federal government to subsidize coastal mansions and vacation homes at the expense of taxpayers. To constantly build and rebuild on fragile oceanfront ecosystems rife with wildlife and native species is simply irresponsible.

Sen. Hillary Clinton has introduced legislation that would pool and diversify catastrophe risk to make disaster insurance for hurricanes, floods, fires and other natural disasters more available and affordable. While some lawmakers, like Sen. Clinton, think adding wind protection to the NFIP is merely a welcome mat to the land of sun and sand, it instead casts a gray pall on the sparkling blue horizon.

Between the environmental loss posed by beachfront construction, the potential burden placed on the American taxpayer and the misleading insurance incentives dangled in front of those who develop in hurricane-prone areas, this legislation is truly a lose-lose gambit.

If it sails through Congress, the American taxpayer could theoretically be pushed to the brink, all because people enjoy living by the sea.

 

DAVID JENKINS 

Republicans for Environmental Protection

Washington, D.C.

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