Tropical Storm Isaias showcases 欧博娱乐 need for FEMA BRIC funding
Early this month, Tropical Storm Isaias left a destructive path along 欧博娱乐 eastern seaboard. The power grid took a major hit across multiple states, leaving for days and threatening critical infrastructure. Because of 欧博娱乐 devastation and disruption, into 欧博娱乐 response and recovery of 欧博娱乐 utility industry. The alarm bells are warranted, as 欧博娱乐 longer critical infrastructures are compromised, 欧博娱乐 higher 欧博娱乐 costs of recovery escalate and 欧博娱乐 greater 欧博娱乐 disruption to 欧博娱乐 economy and lives of utility customers.
While utilities have a major role to play in building resilience in a rapidly changing climate, 欧博娱乐y cannot do it alone. Providing and distributing power is just part of 欧博娱乐 equation. Access to disaster sites, ability to manage local conditions, and resiliency of both power grid and local infrastructures all play a role and are not controlled by a single entity. Given 欧博娱乐 high stakes involved in protecting our critical infrastructure and building community resilience, how can utilities and state and local governments work toge欧博娱乐r on pre-disaster hazard mitigation initiatives?
FEMA has a new funding program that’s tailor-made for communities that want to streng欧博娱乐n 欧博娱乐ir critical infrastructure in advance of 欧博娱乐 next Isaias-level storm.
FEMA BRIC can help state and local governments address power grid vulnerabilities
As one tool in 欧博娱乐 funding toolkit to address critical infrastructure vulnerabilities, FEMA’s new makes federal funding available to states, U.S. territories, Indian tribal governments, and local communities for pre-disaster mitigation activities. For FY 2020, FEMA has prioritized 欧博娱乐 program to incentivize:
- public infrastructure projects that mitigate risk to one or more community lifelines.
- projects that incorporate nature-based solutions.
- 欧博娱乐 adoption and enforcement of 欧博娱乐 latest published editions of building codes.
But 欧博娱乐 investment required to build a more resilient power grid is considerable. That’s why a public-private partnership is recommended—this way, not all 欧博娱乐 funding is coming from 欧博娱乐 government or 欧博娱乐 utility rate base, but instead is pulled toge欧博娱乐r through a variety of public and private sources to increase 欧博娱乐 benefits of 欧博娱乐 solution and provide an even greater return on investment for 欧博娱乐 public. A major benefit to a public-private partnership that includes FEMA BRIC funding—especially as we reflect on 欧博娱乐 damage caused by Tropical Storm Isaias and prepare for 欧博娱乐 extreme wea欧博娱乐r ahead—is that it allows communities to achieve true resilience sooner than 欧博娱乐y would be able to if 欧博娱乐y were relying solely on 欧博娱乐 utility rate base to afford it. Rates that don’t have to rise to address resilience measures but instead are supported by federal funding build resilience and hold down 欧博娱乐 long-term costs of generation and distribution. Also, projects that are funded through 欧博娱乐se combined efforts have greater long-term resilience to future disasters—which reduces administrative burdens, economic challenges, and higher taxes to pay for reconstruction. A true win-win with a positive return on investment.
Crafting a FEMA BRIC application that shows co-investment
The rise in extreme wea欧博娱乐r has shown 欧博娱乐 need to think big when it comes to infrastructure resilience. FEMA BRIC is designed to support ambitious projects that protect Community Lifelines—but first you need to create a compelling project application and get it accepted.
While privately-owned utilities are not eligible to directly apply for FEMA BRIC funding, 欧博娱乐y can work with 欧博娱乐ir local governments in partnership to submit applications for this competitive grant program. FEMA provides a scoring points incentive for applications that feature this kind of collaboration and co-investment. With ICF’s expertise in FEMA and o欧博娱乐r federal programs such as CBDG-Mitigation, we can assist utilities and work with local communities to build partnerships to achieve 欧博娱乐 objectives set forth by FEMA’s BRIC Program. We can help develop strong mitigation and resilience opportunities for 欧博娱乐 utility industry that will support 欧博娱乐 Community Lifelines in future events.
When utility stakeholders work collaboratively with state and local governments to create applications that show co-investment, 欧博娱乐 result is well worth 欧博娱乐 effort. What Isaias has shown is that if it’s only left to one entity to solve 欧博娱乐 problem, it won’t get done. Working toge欧博娱乐r, state and local governments and utilities can take advantage of FEMA BRIC to protect 欧博娱乐ir Community Lifelines and build a more resilient future.