FEMA Provides $28.5 Million to Utilities for Restoring Service
Latest Grants Part of $2.38 Billion in Public Assistance Funds Throughout Louisiana
Release Date: June 12, 2006
Release Number: 1603-492
» More Information on Louisiana Hurricane Rita
» More Information on Louisiana Hurricane Katrina
NEW ORLEANS, La. -- More than $28.5 million in disaster assistance has been made available in the past two months to help pay for restoration of electrical power to residents throughout Louisiana.
The funds, granted in April and May by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), are intended to reimburse utility companies, primarily for damaged equipment and labor costs associated with emergency repairs in the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. These Public Assistance (PA) grants go directly to the state, which disburses these funds to the eligible applicants.
These Public Assistance grants are earmarked for:
- Jefferson Davis Electric Cooperative for reimbursement of expenses incurred in the aftermath of Hurricane Rita to restore service to 7,000 residents in Allen, Calcasieu, Cameron, Jefferson Davis and Vermilion Parishes. The grants were:
- $18,165,800 for labor, materials and equipment needed to repair catastrophic damage to the co-op’s transmission/distribution system;
- $1,350,850 for contract services needed to make emergency repairs to nine substations immediately after the storm; and
- $2,026,370 toward full restoration of ten substations and two underwater crossings in Cameron Parish.
- Dixie Electric Membership Corporation for expenses incurred in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, restoring service to nearly 30,000 residents in Ascension, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Livingston, St. Helena, Tangipahoa and West Feliciana Parishes. The grants were:
- $1,499,620 for labor, materials and equipment for emergency repairs; and
- $1,898,010 for labor and materials used to replace damaged equipment throughout the system.
- South Louisiana Electric for labor, equipment and materials needed to restore services to residents of Lafourche, Terrebonne, Assumption, St. Mary and St. Martin parishes. The grants were:
- $2,053,090 needed to make emergency repairs; and
- $1,513,340 to repair and replace equipment along highway 182
FEMA’s PA grant program is one way federal assistance flows to state and local governments, and to certain private non-profit organizations. The final goal is to help communities and their residents recover from devastating natural disasters.
To date, FEMA has granted more than $2.38 billion in PA funds throughout the state for scores of projects, including emergency services, debris cleanup, replacement of government buildings, vehicles and equipment, and repair or rebuilding of schools, libraries, courthouses, roads and bridges and other parts of Louisiana’s infrastructure.
FEMA manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, works with state and local emergency managers, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.
Last Modified: Monday, 12-Jun-2006 13:34:15