Del. Plaskett Issues Statement on $29 Million FEMA Grant for Virgin Islands

WASHINGTON, April 10 -- Del. Stacey Plaskett, D-Virgin Islands, issued the following statement regarding a $29 million Federal Emergency Management Agency grant for the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority and St. Thomas' emergency protective measures:

"Today, I am pleased to announce an important grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The grant is for $24,826,409 in federal funding to V.I. Water and Power Authority/St. Thomas for Emergency Protective Measures.

"This grant money will insure that the Virgin Islands will be able to save lives, protect public health and safety, and prevent damage to public and private property before, during, and after a disaster occurs.

"This important grant will benefit the Virgin Islands tremendously with our ongoing rebuilding efforts making the Virgin Islands whole again after experiencing two devastating hurricanes.

"The United States government and the international community has an obligation to work with the affected local governments to restore infrastructure, provide critical humanitarian assistance, and help recover and build back our islands."