Laura Lightbody
Laura Lightbody
Profile
Laura Lightbody directs The Pew Charitable Trusts’ project aimed at reducing the impact of weather-related catastrophes, such as floods and hurricanes, on the U.S. economy, communities, and environment by reforming federal flood disaster policies. She previously served as a manager for Pew’s clean energy initiative.
Before joining Pew, she was a vice president at McBee Strategic Consulting, where she worked on topics including ocean services and economics, clean energy, and pro-innovation policy. She is a graduate of the University of Michigan with degrees in history and Spanish.
Recent Work
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Flood Standard, Critical to Public Safety, Is Also a Smart Investment
With public infrastructure across the U.S. in urgent need of repairs and upgrades, now is not the time to reverse or undermine a commonsense policy designed to reduce the impact of big floods on life, property, and the federal budget. Read More
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Senate Bill Aims to Cut High Cost of Rebuilding in Flood Zones
Two senators from opposite coasts introduced bipartisan legislation Tuesday aimed at eliminating the costly cycle of rebuilding homes in communities that have been flooded multiple times. Senators Tim Scott (R-SC) and Brian Schatz (D-HI) introduced the Repeatedly Flooded Communities Preparation Act that would save taxpayers money and help better prepare communities for floods. The bill requires... Read More
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House Bill Would Reduce Costly Rebuilding of Repeatedly Flooded Properties
The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), the federal program that helps residents, business owners, and communities recover from flooding, may be getting some help from Congress. After months of discussion, the House of Representatives Financial Services Committee on Wednesday passed legislation to reauthorize and improve the NFIP, which is $25 billion in debt. And, while those deliberations... Read More
