FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Rep. Steve Israel, Former FEMA Director Witt and LIPA Chairman Kessel Announce Legislation to Protect Power Companies from Hurricanes
 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 30, 2006
For more information, contact:
Meghan Dubyak (202) 225-3335
Meghan.Dubyak@mail.house.gov
Rep. Steve Israel, Former FEMA Director Witt and LIPA Chairman Kessel
Announce Legislation to Protect Power Companies from Hurricanes
In the Wake of Storm-Induced Power Outages, Israel, Kessel and Witt Announce Legislation That Would Provide Federal Funds to Protect Public Utilities from Hurricane Damage
Brentwood, NY— On Monday, Rep. Steve Israel (D-Huntington), Former Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Director James Lee Witt, and Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) Chairman Richard M. Kessel announced legislation to fortify public electric utilities from the threat of hurricanes.
"A Category 3 Hurricane on Long Island is not a matter of if, but when, said Israel. "This weekend's storms underscore how severe weather can impact power utilities. We need to fortify our power lines now to withstand the consequences of
future storms, particularly hurricanes. Whatever we invest in protecting our energy sources today will be a fraction of the long term economic costs of prolonged blackouts when the hurricane hits."
"I commend Congressman Israel for this important legislation that would protect our nation's state and local public utilities from hurricane damage," said Witt, who now serves as Chief Executive Officer of James Lee Witt Associates in Washington. "Having served as Director of FEMA for eight years, I know the value of prevention and how local governments can benefit from making upgrades to their power grids."
"Congressman Israel's idea for providing FEMA grants to help public power utilities harden their electric transmission and distribution systems is both excellent and timely," said Kessel. "As the nation witnessed the catastrophic devastation caused by last year's powerful hurricanes that struck Florida and the Gulf coast, electric systems are life-sustaining assets that are especially vulnerable to severe storms. While LIPA has taken steps to improve the reliability of its electric T&D system, and recently launched an innovative storm-hardening initiative, the FEMA grants proposed by Congressman Israel would help LIPA implement programs designed to lessen storm-related damage, which in turn will help protect the
welfare and safety of all Long Islanders."
Many public utility companies do not have the funding or incentive to install costly upgrades to protect utilities from hurricanes. Israel's legislation would authorize FEMA to provide up to $50 million in grants each year for public power companies to make upgrades to protect against hurricane damage. The local utility would be required to provide 25% of the funding for the upgrades to ensure local support.
Israel has been working to protect Long Island from the threat of a Category 3 hurricane, which experts predict could strike the Northeast. In June, Israel brought together senior emergency officials from the federal government to meet with local and county officials, first responders, and other community leaders for a hurricane preparedness summit. Additionally, Israel secured a $300,000 grant for Dowling College to establish a multi-track certificate program of integrated emergency management and coordination.
###
| 
