The GSA has not responded to IER’s questions. The Indiana Environmental Reporter asked the GSA whether it has made or plans to make any changes to the facility due to the Defense Department report. The General Service Administration owns the building and property where the DFAS headquarters is housed. But, according to the Defense Department, drought conditions may occur in places not typically perceived as drought regions and can have broad implications for base infrastructure and the cost of upkeep. Precipitation in Indianapolis is trending upward, with totals meeting or exceeding observed averages. Bean Federal Center, is one of 79 installations identified as being potentially vulnerable to climate change now or within the next 20 years. DFAS Indianapolis, housed in the Major General Emmett J. DFAS is the agency responsible for payments to service members, government employees, vendors and contractors. The Defense Department report’s authors found that the Defense Finance and Accounting Service headquarters in Indianapolis could be vulnerable to the effects of climate change-induced drought. The department also noted that it must factor in the effects of the environment into its mission planning and execution “to build resilience.” It identified 79 installations, including one in Indiana, as being potentially vulnerable to climate change now or within the next 20 years. The Defense Department declared in its report that “the effects of a changing climate are a national security issue with potential impacts to Department of Defense missions, operational plans, and installations.” The GAO report follows up on a January 2019 report released by the Department of Defense’s Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment. Potential threats to facilities include erosion, flooding, power supply shortages and wind damage. Many installations are places where Hoosier soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines could potentially be based for military service. It concluded several of those facilities, including some directly threatened by increasing amounts of extreme weather, have not incorporated future climate conditions into their long-term planning due to a lack of guidance from the highest levels of military authority. The agency assessed a sample of 23 facilities identified as having one or more vulnerabilities related to climate. The GAO is an independent, nonpartisan agency that examines how taxpayer dollars are spent. military installations have not consistently assessed risks from extreme weather and climate change effects in their facilities project designs, putting $1.2 trillion in taxpayer-funded military real estate at risk. A Government Accountability Office report found that U.S.
0 kommentar(er)
