Frost Introduces Bill Allowing Energy Purchases from FEMA Funds

Hurricane season is upon us, and power outages can have more significant consequences for some than the storm itself. As a result, Representatives Maxwell Frost (D-FL) and Jenniffer Gonzalez-Colon (R-PR) have introduced a bipartisan bill, a testament to the unity in addressing this issue, allowing Floridians and other parts of the country vulnerable to hurricanes like Puerto Rico to buy home energy storage batteries using FEMA disaster mitigation funds.

By requiring FEMA to grant funds toward purchasing home energy storage batteries, not only would people save money, but more vulnerable populations such as seniors would not have to worry about their power going out, which could spell greater disaster for some than storm damage.

"Sometimes the most dangerous part of a hurricane isn't the storm itself, but what happens when that storm hits: people's homes lose power, which means that air conditioners stop working, fridges stop cooling, necessary medical equipment stop running, and food and medicine go bad. It's a dangerous chain of events that can cost thousands of dollars and endanger the lives of everyone, especially vulnerable seniors. Congresswoman González-Colón and I know all too well what it means when a natural disaster hits our community. It's time for FEMA to help cover the costs so that every household in need can better prepare for the next tropical storm and keep their homes safe and running," said Rep. Frost in his press release.

Rep. Gonzalez-Colon added, "This bipartisan bill addresses one aspect of recovery and mitigation work for families that we have found to be quite significant. In the case of Puerto Rico, the consequences of loss of electrical service for aspects such as life-sustainment equipment and for refrigeration of food, medication, and perishable health supplies such as insulins were a known factor in the mortality of thousands during the power system collapse following Hurricane María. This especially affected senior citizens and rural residents who were not in a position of equipping their homes with power backup and storage resources. Having this program incorporated in FEMA's mitigation mission would expand the number of homes that can access the technology. I am glad to continue working in a bipartisan manner with Congressman Frost to address the needs of vulnerable residents in our districts that are exposed to major natural disasters."

This is Rep. Frost's second bipartisan hurricane bill. The first was the Fixing Gaps in Hurricane Preparedness Act, which passed the House at the end of April. He introduced it with Representative Daniel Webster (R-FL).