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Hearing Hearing Date: March 22, 2018 10:00 am 2154 Rayburn HOB

Bureaucratic Challenges to Hurricane Recovery in Puerto Rico

Subject
Bureaucratic Challenges to Hurricane Recovery in Puerto Rico
Date
March 22, 2018
Time
10:00 am
Place
2154 Rayburn HOB

PURPOSE:

  • To examine federal response and recovery efforts to restore access to power and potable drinking water in Puerto Rico in the aftermath of the 2017 hurricane season.
  • To identify areas where the federal government can and must improve to respond more effectively to future major-disaster events, as part of the Committee’s ongoing investigation into 2017 hurricane season preparation and response. 

BACKGROUND:

  • Following Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria, residents of Puerto Rico found themselves without access to critical emergency communications necessary for safety and survival. Food supplies were limited, clean drinking water was almost entirely inaccessible, and their already crumbling power grid was completely incapacitated. 
  • Six months later, parts of Puerto Rico remain largely without power due to access, topography, and resource issues, as well as challenges with interagency coordination.  
  • Due to the indefinite state of repair, thousands of residents have fled the territory. Estimates project over five percent of Puerto Rico will relocate as a consequence of the hurricane damage. 

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Witnesses and testimonies: Michael Byrne

Assistant Administrator for Field Operations, Federal Emergency Management Agency
U.S. Department of Homeland Security

Document

William Parks

Senior Advisor to the Assistant Secretary, Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability
U.S. Department of Energy

Document

Peter Lopez

Regional Administrator, Region 2
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Document

Scott Aaronson

Vice President, Security and Preparedness
Edison Electric Institute

Document