Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) today announced that the Memphis Light, Gas and Water Division (MLGW) will receive $1,272,769 from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), as authorized under Section 406 of the Robert T. Stafford Act, for permanent utility restoration work after February’s severe winter storms.
Congressman Cohen made the following statement:
“Memphis utilities took a significant hit from the devastating ice storm in February that caused lengthy power outages and left an estimated 120,000 MLGW customers without power. I am pleased this FEMA funding is on its way to Memphis where it will be put to good use to pay for necessary repairs”
The February ice storm brought down trees and power distribution lines throughout the MLGW service area causing power outages for thousands. It caused widespread damage to the water distribution system when subzero temperatures caused frozen distribution pipes to burst and the roots of trees, felled by snow-laden branches, pulled pipes from the ground. The damages sustained to the distribution system included: loss of two 150HP 460V 3PH Hitachi pumps; 153 broken water lines that required replacement; and 31 pipe leaks that could be patched.
Congressman Cohen wrote to Governor Bill Lee on February 7, 2022, asking him to seek emergency assistance from FEMA, which was approved by President Biden in March MLGW owns and maintains critical facilities that provide electric service to 429,000 metered customers with 4,410 miles of overhead distribution lines throughout Shelby County.
Original source can be found here.
