Wednesday, September 29, 2010

FEMA rejects disaster aid for San Bruno

World Worst Disasters
The federal government has rejected the state's request for disaster aid for the deadly natural gas pipeline explosion in San Bruno.

The decision, an appeal of which is likely, means the state will not receive millions of dollars in disaster relief money to cover the costs of the calamity.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) determined the damage was "not of such severity and magnitude" as to overwhelm the state and local agencies that responded to the September 9 blast, according to the letter that Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger received from the agency Friday. The letter goes on to say that help from other sources, including PG&E, will be enough to meet the needs of the event.

However, FEMA will reimburse the state for up to 75 % of the firefighting costs, agency spokesman Bradley Carroll wrote.

But San Bruno Mayor Jim Ruane, who testified before a Senate committee on pipeline safety Tuesday, said Schwarzenegger plans to appeal the decision. Ruane said he was surprised and disagreed with FEMA's conclusion that the city will be able to pay for the response and cleanup.


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