Electric Co-ops Congratulate Cameron Hamilton as new FEMA Administrator

ARLINGTON, Va. - National Rural Electric Cooperative Association CEO Jim Matheson today issued the following statement on the confirmation of Cameron Hamilton as Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

"Administrator Hamilton's leadership comes at a pivotal time. The resilience of our nation's energy infrastructure and the effectiveness of a coordinated emergency response are more important than ever," said NRECA CEO Jim Matheson. "Our nation depends on electric cooperatives to keep the lights on and power the American economy. FEMA is a critical partner for co-ops before, during and after disasters. We look forward to working closely with Administrator Hamilton to strengthen the partnership between FEMA and America's electric cooperatives."

Electric co-ops are advocating for important reforms to help FEMA work better for local communities. NRECA strongly supports the Fixing Emergency Management for Americans Act, bipartisan legislation that would provide faster disaster assistance to affected communities and dramatically improve the pace of long-term recoveries.

The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association is the national trade association representing nearly 900 local electric cooperatives. From growing suburbs to remote farming communities, electric co-ops serve as engines of economic development for 42 million Americans across 56 percent of the nation's landscape. As local businesses built by the consumers they serve, electric cooperatives have meaningful ties to rural America and invest $12 billion annually in their communities.

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