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FEMA: Stafford Act does not apply to power crisis
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Posted on Sep 11 2008
The CNMI is not eligible for federal intervention under the Stafford Act, a FEMA representative said yesterday.
Local residents, upset with the current power crisis and increased costs of utilities fees, are organizing a rally planned for next week to ask for federal intervention under the Stafford Act.
Kim Walz, External Affairs director for FEMA’s Region IX, said the island’s power situation is not an issue related to the Stafford Act. She said FEMA has been monitoring the island’s situation but the organization is not directly involved.
In the past, FEMA has provided generators for schools and shelters, but only after a disaster, Walz said.
The Act defines a disaster as any natural catastrophe, including hurricanes, tornados, storms, high water, wind driven water, tidal waves, tsunamis, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, landslides, mudslides, snowstorms, or droughts. Fires, floord or explosions, regardless of cause, are also defined as disasters.
The Stafford Act allows for the 50 States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands to request federal intervention during times of a major disaster. The Act gives FEMA the responsibility to coordinate various government and non-government agencies to provide relief.
The governor of the affected state must make the request stating that the magnitude of the disaster is beyond the capabilities of the local and state government.
Washington Rep. Pete A. Tenorio has also asked President Bush for help in addressing the CUC power crisis, also citing the Stafford Act. He said he has already talked with FEMA and they told him the Act may apply in this instance. See sidebar.
Local businessman Ed Propst and Rep. Tina Sablan have scheduled a rally for Sept. 17, where they will ask community members to sign a petition to President Bush asking for federal intervention and oversight of the Commonwealth Utilities Corp.
At a press conference yesterday, Sablan said the CNMI is currently undergoing a humanitarian disaster, making the Commonwealth vulnerable to a future natural disaster.
