Governor Rendell Asks President Obama for Waiver Making More Snow Storm Cleanup Costs Eligible for Reimbursement

Says Severity of Winter Storms Created Financial Hardships Across PA

HARRISBURG, Pa., March 31 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- As part of his ongoing effort to help Pennsylvania's counties manage the financial hardships left by February's record-breaking snowstorms, Governor Edward G. Rendell today asked President Barack Obama for a waiver that would make more counties eligible for assistance and help those that have already applied eligible for greater reimbursements.

If granted, the waiver would exempt Pennsylvania's counties from the federal criteria that limits assistance claims to a continuous 48-hour period. The Governor noted that the cleanup work in many counties took much longer than 48 hours.

"Our cities, townships and boroughs responsibly budgeted for normal winter snow emergency operations, but none could have predicted the severity of the storm or the excessive costs caused by responding to the Feb. 5 blizzard," wrote Governor Rendell. "It is clear that by using the 48-hour criteria, most counties will be reimbursed for less than half of the actual incurred expenses, and many counties will only be reimbursed for less than one-third of the actual incurred expenses for snow removal."

The request to waive the 48-hour limit is a follow-up to the Governor's March 12 letter to the President, in which he requested aid for 27 counties. The Governor said that granting the waiver would provide the President with a more complete picture of the multi-day storm's impact on Pennsylvania, which he could then factor into the decision on the aid request.

The request, still pending federal approval, could be expanded to include additional counties.

Under the current Federal Emergency Management Agency policy, to qualify for federal public assistance, counties must meet specific federal criteria:

• A record or near-record snowfall event must occur within the county;
• The costs for snow removal operations during a continuous 48-hour period and any other costs for emergency protective measures must exceed the threshold of $3.23 per county resident; and
• The total costs of all counties meeting both criteria must exceed the state threshold of $15.9 million.

"I understand the financial constraints that FEMA is working within, and it is not without that consideration that I am making this request," said Governor Rendell. "However those counties that met their per capita expense thresholds for snow storm response are facing incredible budgetary hardships and need the federal government's help."

Editor's note: A copy of Governor Rendell's letter to President Obama is available upon request.

SOURCE Pennsylvania Office of the Governor