Biden Unveils $612 Million Plan for Electric Grid Resilience After Hurricane Milton

During a recent visit to Florida, President Joe Biden announced a significant investment exceeding $600 million aimed at enhancing electric grid resilience in the wake of Hurricane Milton. This trip marked Biden’s second visit to the state in two weeks, reflecting the increasing frequency and intensity of hurricanes that are straining federal disaster-relief resources.

“I’m here in Florida for the second time in two weeks to survey the damage from another catastrophic storm, Hurricane Milton,” Biden stated after an aerial tour of the affected areas in St. Petersburg. He acknowledged that while the storm’s impact was less severe than anticipated, it still caused significant hardship for many residents. “For some individuals, it was cataclysmic,” he noted, expressing empathy for those who lost everything and are now facing mounting expenses.

Biden expressed gratitude towards local officials who have been personally affected by the storm. He commended their efforts, calling them a testament to “the resilience of the people of west Florida.” His visit comes as bipartisan calls have intensified for Congress to approve additional disaster-relief funding, particularly as extreme weather events this year have depleted federal aid reserves.

House Speaker Mike Johnson stated on Sunday that Congress would not reconvene early to address additional disaster funding. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, who oversees the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), confirmed that while the agency currently has enough funding for immediate needs, prompt congressional action will be necessary when they return after the upcoming election.

The funding package announced by Biden totals $612 million and is especially crucial as nearly 1.5 million customers are currently facing power outages. Of this amount, $94 million is earmarked specifically for projects within Florida, with $47 million allocated to Gainesville Regional Utilities and another $47 million set for a collaboration between Switched Source and Florida Power and Light.

“These investments underscore the President’s commitment to making long-term enhancements to our nation’s electric grid, particularly in the face of extreme weather challenges,” a White House official said.

Biden’s visit to St. Petersburg followed his earlier trips to Florida and other southeastern states, including Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina, where he assessed the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. Typically, presidential visits to disaster-stricken areas foster a spirit of nonpartisanship, especially now that Biden is no longer a candidate for re-election in 2024.

In his efforts to demonstrate unity, Biden has engaged with Republican leaders, including Florida and Georgia’s governors, as well as conservative congressional members from affected regions. During the event, he stood alongside Florida Republicans, including Senator Rick Scott and Representative Anna Paulina Luna. However, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis was notably absent.

When questioned about DeSantis, Biden emphasized the collaborative spirit, stating he hadn’t spoken with the governor on that day, but noted that both Republicans and Democrats were satisfied with the federal response. “In moments like this, we come together to take care of each other, not as Democrats or Republicans, but as Americans. … We are one United States,” he remarked.

The president also praised state and local officials for their efforts to counter misinformation regarding the disaster, which he claimed has led to threats against relief workers and caused residents to hesitate in seeking necessary aid. On a previous occasion, Biden acknowledged that even “hardcore” Republicans were advocating for an end to the spread of false information.

Despite the emphasis on bipartisanship, this sentiment has not fully translated to Vice President Kamala Harris, who has also been visiting disaster sites. Tensions surfaced when both Harris and DeSantis exchanged accusations of political maneuvering, particularly following reports that DeSantis had ignored Harris’s calls. DeSantis reiterated his communication with Biden, asserting that Harris’s role does not extend to federal disaster response.

As the Biden administration navigates the complexities of disaster relief amid escalating climate challenges, the president’s recent visit underscores a commitment to both immediate assistance and long-term infrastructure improvements to better withstand future storms.