Cost Eligibility

W. Nim Kidd

Chief, Texas Division of Emergency Management

Vice Chancellor – The Texas A&M University System

1033 LaPosada Drive, Suite 370

Austin, Texas 78752

Re:  Second Appeal – Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative, Inc, PA ID: 000-UBWIX-00, FEMA-4029-DR-TX, Project Worksheet (PW) 162 – Cost Eligibility   

Dear Chief Kidd:

This is in response to a letter from your office dated May 25, 2021, which transmitted the referenced second appeal on behalf of Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative, Inc. (Applicant).  The Applicant is appealing the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) denial of $844,900.00 in Public Assistance funding.

Section 423(a) of the Stafford Act provides that any decision regarding eligibility for assistance may be appealed within 60 days after the date on which the applicant is notified of the award or denial of assistance.  Implementing this provision, Title 44 of the Code of Federal Regulations, section 206.206(c), requires that Applicants must file appeals within 60 days after receipt of a notice of the action that is being appealed.

According to the administrative record, FEMA closed the project in response to a letter from the Grantee dated October 7, 2016.  Both the Grantee and Applicant state in its first appeal letter that the Applicant appeals the Grantee’s letter dated March 16, 2017, notifying the Applicant of FEMA’s closeout of PW 162. The Applicant filed its first appeal on July 30, 2019.  This was after the 60-day timeframe required by FEMA’s regulations, making the first appeal untimely.  Therefore, this appeal is denied. 

Please inform the Applicant of my decision.  This determination is the final decision on this matter pursuant to 44 C.F.R. § 206.206, Appeals.

                                                                      Sincerely,

                                                                          /S/

                                                                      Ana Montero

                                                                     Division Director

                                                                     Public Assistance Division

cc: George A. Robinson

Regional Administrator

FEMA Region VI