Senators Express Concern to FEMA and Army Corps of Engineers that Further Delays Could Jeopardize Health and Safety of Residents and Communities
"We write to express our serious concern with the on-going power restoration efforts in
The senators said the immediate restoration of power is necessary and critical to homes and hospitals as well as critical power-dependent infrastructure like drinking water and sewage treatment systems. The senators laid out their demands to the heads of
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Go to: https://www.hassan.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/FEMA%20USACE%20PR%20grid%20ltr%2010-26-17%20(002).pdf or see below for the full text of the letter:
Dear Administrator Long and Lieutenant
We write to express our serious concern with the on-going power restoration efforts in
We are committed to the long-term rebuilding of the power grid in a way that is more resilient to extreme weather events and integrates technologies like microgrids, renewable energy, and distributed energy resources. But, we understand the primary federal focus must be the immediate restoration of power, not only for homes, hospitals, and other services but also for critical power-dependent infrastructure like drinking water and sewage treatment systems.
To help address this issue we have a number of specific requests, particularly with respect to
Incident Commander & Coordination:
As of today, the
We are particularly concerned with the lack of a unified command for electric grid restoration to ensure that resources are properly and quickly utilized, that specific tasks are appropriately prioritized, and that efforts are not duplicative. Therefore, we urge both of your agencies, in conjunction with PREPA, to establish a clear chain of command and identify a responsible official to oversee all contracts and coordinate with local officials so that work will be as efficient and effective as possible. This official should be in charge of marshalling all available resources in the power restoration effort including ensuring the effective deployment of the logistical capabilities of the USACE, and the equipment, crew, and materials capabilities of private contractors and other public utilities.
While coordinating the power restoration effort is critical, we also ask that you play a more active role in coordinating with other federal agencies working on the recovery efforts. For example, if through the course of your efforts you discover that additional or amended mission assignments from
Teams, Materials, & Equipment:
It is our understanding that the USACE has contracted with
In addition to immediately issuing a notice to proceed to Fluor and
Power restoration in
Long-Term Recovery:
In the coming weeks, we also intend to seek your assistance to ensure the electric grid is rebuilt in a more resilient way, with more distributed energy resources that rely on solar and wind power and microgrids, a transition away from reliance on fossil fuel imports, and a strong independent regulatory body that can ensure accountability and lower rates for consumers. We urge you to work with other relevant federal agencies to submit specific legislative language requests to
While we understand that the effort to restore power in
Sincerely,
Read this original document at: https://www.hassan.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senators-shaheen-hassan-call-on-trump-administration-to-ramp-up-power-restoration-efforts-in-puerto-rico-and-us-virgin-islands
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