FEMA Grant Of $2 Million To Memphis Light, Gas, And Water Will Anchor Transformers

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ATLANTA, GA – September 25, 2008 – (RealEstateRama) — A grant of more than $2 million from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will retrofit high voltage transformers with seismic anchors for the Memphis Light, Gas, and Water (MLGW) electric power system. The retrofitting of the transformers will ensure continued power to more than 900,000 residents of Shelby County in the event of an earthquake or other seismic occurrence.  

The Memphis-Shelby County area lies within the New Madrid Seismic Zone, which has more seismic activity than any other place in the United States east of the Rocky Mountains. Transformers that are not anchored are vulnerable to seismic activity and their failure would cause the loss of electric service to a large number of customers, including public facilities like the Memphis City and Shelby County Hall, Police Headquarters, Federal Building, and other important public operations that are critical in the aftermath of a disaster.

The grant was awarded through FEMA’s Pre-Disaster Mitigation (PDM) Program. The $2,013,619 represents a 75 percent federal share of the total project cost of $ 2,684,826. The remaining 25 percent will come from non-federal sources. Memphis-Shelby County applied on behalf of MLGW as a requisite responsibility of the grant.

“This project is an important component of pre-disaster mitigation that will decrease the operation’s vulnerability to seismic activity. Electric power is an essential and lifesaving commodity that cities and counties must have to ensure the health and safety of their citizens,” said FEMA Region IV Regional Administrator Phil May. “The public facilities that are supplied power through these stations also include major hospitals, and for obvious reasons, these are highly critical services after a disaster.”

The seismic retrofit of the transformers is part of an ongoing effort by MLGW to strengthen all its facilities. FEMA has assisted in this effort with previous funding of projects through the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program as well as the PDM Program.

FEMA coordinates the federal government’s role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.

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