Summary

Lets electric utilities carry out cost‑effective hazard‑mitigation upgrades at the same time they use FEMA emergency funds to restore power after a disaster. It also confirms that taking emergency restoration assistance does not block a utility from later receiving separate FEMA hazard‑mitigation funds it would otherwise qualify for. These changes apply only to money appropriated on or after enactment. The goal is faster, smarter rebuilds that make the grid more resilient while power is being restored.

Key Points

• Authorizes cost‑effective hazard‑mitigation work to be paired with FEMA emergency power restoration for electric utilities.
• Preserves eligibility for separate FEMA hazard‑mitigation assistance even if emergency restoration funds are used.
• Covers electric utility facilities damaged in disasters and rebuilt under FEMA emergency work authority.
• Applies only to new appropriations made on or after enactment (no retroactive effect).
• Seeks to reduce repeat damage and outages by hardening infrastructure during initial repairs.
• Does not create a new program or new taxes; clarifies eligible uses of existing disaster funds.
• Should reduce administrative delays by coordinating repair and mitigation in one project scope.
• No earmarks or locality‑specific provisions.

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