Trump Denies Disaster Aid to Two Michigan Electric Co-Ops Despite FEMA-Assessed $90 Million in Damage

Overview

• FEMA notified Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Oct. 22 that assistance for Presque Isle Electric & Gas and Great Lakes Energy was “not warranted” after the March ice storm.
• Documents obtained by Politico’s E&E News show the administration tallied roughly $90 million in utility damage, about five times the threshold that typically justifies federal aid.
• Great Lakes Energy told members that unreimbursed storm expenses will be paid by the entire cooperative, and PIE&G’s CEO warned of tens of millions falling to customers.
• Whitmer previously cautioned the White House that households could face at least $4,500 in surcharges without federal support.
• The move fits a pattern of at least nine gubernatorial disaster requests denied since April, while a $100 million state recovery bill approved by the Michigan House remains stalled in the Senate.