Biden still is holding out on Puerto Rico hurricane assistance

[Robert W]

Shades of Trump. Trump catches hell over the Hurricanes in Puerto Rico but read this. Biden has not helped them himself but a tiny bit. So do not expect Biden to help the east recover from Helene or Milton.

Puerto Rico Disasters: Progress Made, but the Recovery Continues to Face Challenges

As of June 2023, FEMA has awarded $23.4 billion in Public Assistance funds for Puerto Rico to recover from the 2017 hurricanes and 2019 and 2020...

www.gao.gov

As of June 2023, FEMA has awarded $23.4 billion in Public Assistance funds for Puerto Rico to recover from the 2017 hurricanes and 2019 and 2020 earthquakes. Of that, it has spent $1.8 billion and a lot of work remains, but increased costs may lead to funding shortfalls for projects. For example, parts for the San Juan Power Plant project exceeded estimates by $3 million.

In prior work, we identified risks to Puerto Rico's recovery, such as problems in starting construction. In response, FEMA drafted a risk management plan but has yet to finalize it.

As Puerto Rico continues to recover, FEMA needs to fully implement our 2 prior recommendations.

Puerto Rico’s Electric Power Authority Power Plant in San Juan

 

[lafayette]

Like Trump? No. It's far better now.

 

[Robert W]

Like Trump? No. It's far better now.

President Donald J. Trump Announces Additional Support for the People of Puerto Rico as They Continue to Rebuild Following Natural Disasters​

Land & Agriculture

Issued on: January 5, 2021

Today, President Donald J. Trump’s Administration announced one of the largest grants ever for infrastructure projects in Puerto Rico to rebuild from the devastation caused by Hurricane Maria.

Under the leadership of President Trump, Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) will award $3.7 billion to help rebuild Puerto Rico’s water and wastewater treatment plants, pumping stations, dams, and reservoirs. This funding represents the 90% Federal share of the $4.1 billion fixed cost estimate (FCE) for facilities operated by Puerto Rico’s Aqueduct and Sewer Authority (PRASA). This is one of the largest Public Assistance grants in the history of FEMA, demonstrating once again, the Trump Administration’s commitment to supporting the people of Puerto Rico and improving the territory’s infrastructure.

Today’s announcement is in addition to FEMA grants of $9.6 billion for electrical infrastructure and $2 billion for education facilities announced by President Trump in September of 2020. Together, these grants exceed the total Public Assistance funding in any single federally-declared disaster other than Hurricanes Katrina and Sandy. Federal funding of $9.6 billion will allow the Puerto Rico Electrical Power Authority (PREPA) to repair and replace thousands of miles of transmission and distribution lines, electrical substations, power generation systems, office buildings, and make other grid improvements. The $2 billion grant for the Puerto Rico Department of Education (PRDE) will focus on restoring school buildings and educational facilities across the island.

All critical infrastructure projects are funded under FEMA’s Public Assistance Alternative Procedures, pursuant to Section 428 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act. This innovative funding method allows Puerto Rican officials to work with FEMA to determine how to best meet their unique recovery needs.

Once the PRASA grant is awarded, President Trump’s Administration will have obligated over $40 billion for Puerto Rico’s recovery from Hurricane Maria.

 

[toobfreak]

Shades of Trump. Trump catches hell over the Hurricanes in Puerto Rico but read this. Biden has not helped them himself but a tiny bit.

Puerto Rico is not part of the United States. It is merely a territory owned by us. Not the same responsibility. It merely means that we put our thumb on the island--- we don't really want it but we don't want anyone else to claim it either.

 

[mudwhistle]