The American Public Power Association on June 8 submitted comments to the Federal Emergency Management Agency Review Council in response to recommendations made in the Council’s final report.
While the report’s recommendations were wide ranging, APPA’s comments were drafted based on feedback from members and focused on the report’s recommendations related to disaster designations and the provision of public assistance.
In its comments, APPA noted that it supports reforms that improve the speed and efficiency of disaster assistance.
However, APPA noted, those reforms should also preserve predictability, reflect operational realities, and ensure equitable access to funding across diverse communities.
Conversely, APPA wrote, when cost recovery becomes less certain, utilities may face greater difficulty making timely decisions before, during, and after a disaster. It was primarily based on this criterion -- that any reform effort should therefore reduce uncertainty, not add to it – that APPA assessed the report’s recommendations.
Throughout its comments, APPA also noted how pending legislation before Congress meets this criterion of increased certainty. The comments continue APPA’s longstanding support for the legislation, H.R. 4669, the Fixing Emergency Management for Americans Act.
APPA also expressed its appreciation for the time, energy, and dedication it took to create the report, and noted that APPA supports President Trump’s and the Council’s goal of improving the federal, state, local, and tribal partnership in preparing for, responding to, and recovering from emergencies and disasters.
APPA also told the Council that it will remain an active partner as this Administration and Congress charts the legislative and regulatory changes needed to achieve this goal.
