November 19, 2021

Merkley, Wyden Announce $7 Million FEMA Grant for Rural Infrastructure Damage Caused by Wildfires

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden today announced that a $7 million grant from Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will help repair damaged electrical infrastructure in Marion County.

“Wildfires and intense winds caused significant damage to our electrical infrastructure in Marion County, jeopardizing the stability of small businesses and the homes of many Oregon families,” said Merkley. “I am pleased that these grants will help repair critical electric systems needed for our rural communities to thrive, and I will continue to fight for resources that boost our wildfire recovery efforts in every corner of the state.”

“After witnessing the devastation in Marion County from these disastrous wildfires and high winds, I’m glad FEMA has come through with this grant to help fix the local electrical infrastructure,” Wyden said. “Those repairs are essential to help families and small businesses recover from this destruction, and I’ll keep battling to secure similar resources to help Oregon communities whenever wildfire strikes.”

FEMA will allocate the grant to Consumers Power Inc., a rural electric co-op that provides service to six Oregon counties. Due to the 2020 wildfires and wind storms, poles, electric conductors, and other critical hardware in Marion County were severely damaged, and this funding will help pay for the needed repairs. Merkley and Wyden have continued to lead efforts for more federal funding dedicated to wildfire recovery in Oregon.

 

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