HOYLE, EZELL APPLAUD PASSAGE OF POWER ACT IN THE HOUSE
The bipartisan legislation makes rebuilding of the power grid after major disasters easier and more efficient
For Immediate Release: January 15, 2024
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 164, the Promoting Opportunities to Widen Electrical Resilience (POWER) Act, legislation authored by U.S. Representatives Val Hoyle (OR-04) and Mike Ezell (MS-04). This bill would provide more tools for not-for-profit electric utilities to invest in long-term hazard mitigation and grid resilience solutions while rebuilding infrastructure after a major disaster.
“As weather events become increasingly severe and common, we must do more to better prepare for the next disaster,” Representative Hoyle said. “My bill gives electric utilities more tools to rebuild for resilience after a major disaster, reducing the risk of future power outages that harm public safety and local economies. I’d like to thank Representative Ezell for his partnership, and I will work with my Senate colleagues to get this bill signed into law.”
"Public power utilities are essential in ensuring our communities have access to reliable and resilient electricity, especially in the aftermath of a major disaster. With the passage of this bill in the U.S. House, we are equipping Mississippi communities with the tools and resources needed to invest in long-term hazard mitigation and strengthen grid resilience. Simply put, this legislation will save lives and expedite the restoration of critical services. I’m proud to have co-led this vital effort to protect our energy systems and ensure they are better prepared for future challenges," said Congressman Ezell.
Under current law, utilities that receive federal funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to restore electric service after a major disaster are ineligible for additional federal funding for resilience improvements. The POWER Act streamlines mitigation efforts by modifying eligibility for public utilities.
“The POWER Act reduces the painful choice between immediate response and long-term investments, allowing communities to restore power as quickly as possible, while also taking steps to mitigate against hazards in the future. The POWER Act is good for the economy, good for local communities, and good for public power customers." said Scott Corwin, President & CEO of the American Public Power Association.
“In the wake of natural disasters, electric cooperatives have long sought the ability to rebuild damaged or destroyed infrastructure so that it is stronger and more resilient than ever before. The POWER Act helps our members achieve this goal by giving them access to Public Assistance funding to implement cost-effective hazard mitigation strategies during the disaster recovery process,” said National Rural Electric Cooperative Association CEO Jim Matheson. “This legislation is critically important as co-ops build back in the wake of major hurricanes in the southeast and ongoing wildfires in the west. We thank Reps. Hoyle and Ezell for reintroducing this important bill.”
"The POWER Act is a game-changer for protecting our nation’s lifeline infrastructure,” said Dr. Natalie Enclade, Executive Director, BuildStrong America.“By enabling electrical utilities to incorporate cost-effective hazard mitigation into their disaster recovery efforts, this legislation ensures power restoration efforts are not just reactive but forward-thinking. Strengthening critical systems like our electrical grid through hazard mitigation helps reduce future risks, safeguard communities, and promote long-term resilience."
“Congresswoman Hoyle understands that during natural disasters nothing is more important than public safety and keeping the lights on," said ORECA Executive Director Ted Case. “The POWER Act gives Oregon’s electric co-ops the tools to rebuild our utility infrastructure to make it more resilient than ever before. We greatly appreciate her leadership passing this vitally important legislation.”
“The ice storm last January wreaked havoc on electric infrastructure across the Pacific Northwest. In our service territory, 37,000 customers lost power at some point, and we ultimately had to replace an enormous amount of equipment: 352 poles and crossarms, 92,700 feet of wire and 84 transformers,” said Eugene Water and Electric Board General Manager Frank Lawson. “Recovery – including parts, materials, staff time and contracted labor – has cost $9.4 million so far, with another project costing $2 to $3 million planned for 2025. Reimbursement for disaster recovery from FEMA is crucial for us to keep rates affordable for our customers, many of whom live paycheck to paycheck. During disasters such as the ice storm, FEMA’s current rules force us to choose between spending money on work that immediately turns the power back on for customers and spending money on long-term resilience. Inevitably, the long-term resilience suffers since restoring power safely and swiftly is our top priority for customers who are otherwise left in the cold. We are grateful to Congresswoman Val Hoyle for championing these bills that will benefit resilience efforts for the entire community.”
The POWER Act helps to ensure that not-for-profit utilities are able to make necessary improvements that don’t just restore the affected infrastructure but improve it. By making it easier to access long-term hazard mitigation funding, localities can ensure that disaster recovery is more effective and efficient.
The bill now goes to the U.S. Senate for consideration. If passed, it goes to the President’s desk to be signed into law.
Read the full text of the bill, here.
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