ALBANY, N.Y. /New York Netwire/ — N.Y. Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today formally requested the maximum authorized federal reimbursement for federal aid in New York State’s response to and recovery from Hurricane Sandy for all federally declared counties.
The Governor will ask the New York congressional delegation to pass legislation that will allow the federal government to reimburse 100 percent of costs, and not 90 percent which the law currently allows the President to authorize.
Governor Cuomo’s letter to President Obama is below:
October 31, 2012
The Honorable Barack Obama
President of the United States
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20500
Through: Ms. Lynn Canton
Regional Administrator
Federal Emergency Management Agency, Region II
26 Federal Plaza, Room # 1311
New York, New York 10278
Re: DR-4085
Federal Cost Share Increase
Dear Mr. President:
New York is requesting the maximum authorized federal reimbursement for federal aid pursuant to 44 C.F.R. § 206.47(b) and (d) in the response to and recovery from Hurricane Sandy in all of the federally declared counties in New York State. Under subdivision (d), FEMA is authorized to provide 100% reimbursement for Direct Federal Assistance and Category B emergency protective measures implemented in response to the hurricane. Under subdivision (b), FEMA is authorized to grant New York 90% of the eligible costs of permanent work.
As described in 44 C.F.R. § 206.47(d), “If warranted by the needs of the disaster, we recommend up to 100% Federal funding for emergency work under section 403 and section 407, including direct Federal assistance for a limited period in the initial days of the disaster irrespective of the per capita impact.” We have determined that the significant impacts from Hurricane Sandy plainly warrant providing this assistance.
Our counties are responding to the continued impacts of multi-building fires, tunnel closures, power losses to hospitals and other critical infrastructure, destroyed homes and sheltered populations – all in the midst of historic flooding that has complicated emergency response operations exponentially. Moreover, the cost to restore the complex electrically driven subway and rail transportation systems after total inundation from saltwater flooding will place a tremendous financial burden on New York State. The impact of this storm on thousands of small businesses is devastating and unprecedented. Initial estimates project up to $6 billion in lost economic revenue in the greater metropolitan area and the State due to the severe disruption of business in the world’s leading financial hub and the largest port on the northeastern seaboard.
This support is critical to ensuring that our State and local governments are able to respond effectively to the emergent and continuing issues associated with the devastation caused by Hurricane Sandy.
Should you have any questions, your staff may contact Steve Kuhr, the State Coordinating Officer, at 518-292-2301.
Sincerely,
ANDREW M. CUOMO
