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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States Expand Preparation and Mitigation Efforts as Floods Increase Nationwide
Flood events are becoming more intense across the United States, affecting the physical and economic stability of communities and threatening human lives and delicate ecosystems. Every part of the country is vulnerable to losses from increased flooding; in the past five years, all 50 states have experienced flood events. Federal, state, and local entities share the responsibility for... Read More
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Wisconsin: Flood risk and mitigation
Floods and storms are becoming more intense in Wisconsin, with floods occurring every two weeks, on average, and causing over $72 million in property loss annually. Read More
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Elected Officials From Across the Country Endorse National Living Shorelines Permit
Last week, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers closed its public comment period on a proposed new nationwide permit for living shorelines projects, a proven alternative to hard infrastructure such as seawalls and bulkheads, which use natural materials to reduce erosion, storm runoff, and habitat loss. A bipartisan group of elected officials, including members of Congress, state legislators, and... Read More
