Johnson, McCaskill Request DHS Inspector General Review of Whitefish Contract Costs

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sens. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) and Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) chairman and ranking member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, sent a letter to Department of Homeland Security Inspector General John Roth Friday requesting that he review the contract between the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority and Whitefish Energy Holdings.

The letter can be found here and below:

October 27, 2017

 

The Honorable John Roth

Inspector General

U.S. Department of Homeland Security

245 Murray Drive SW, Building 410

Washington, DC 20528

Dear Inspector General Roth:

We understand that you are currently reviewing the contract between the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA) and Whitefish Energy Holdings, LLC.  We write to ask that you specifically determine whether costs incurred by PREPA under this contract may be eligible expenses under FEMA’s Public Assistance Program.  In the wake of extensive storm damage or a disaster, states and municipalities normally contact a “mutual aid network” that can quickly mobilize thousands of workers to help with electric grid repairs. Reportedly, PREPA never took this step and entered into a $300 million contract with Whitefish Energy. We ask that you report on your determination as soon as possible.

If you have any questions, please ask your staff to contact Michael Lueptow of Chairman Johnson’s staff at 202-224-4751 and Claudine Brenner with Senator McCaskill’s staff at 202-224-2627.  Thank you for your prompt response to this request.

Sincerely,

 

Ron Johnson                                                                                                      Claire McCaskill

Chairman                                                                                                            Ranking Member

 

cc:          The Honorable Elaine Duke

                Acting Secretary

                Department of Homeland Security

 

                The Honorable Brock Long

                Administrator 

                Federal Emergency Management Agency

 

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