Simon Heit

The Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, approved more than $76.3 million for recovery and mitigation projects in Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas on July 21, 2026. Louisiana’s listed projects include Richland Parish cleanup reimbursement and permanent generators, pairing storm recovery costs with long-term backup power work for critical facilities during service interruptions and emergencies.

Federal Emergency Management Agency support for North Dakota’s 2025 storm repairs shows rural power systems can need continued work long after severe weather affects communities and infrastructure networks. The July 20 approved funding sends more than $680,000 toward electric cooperative repairs, including poles, lines, insulators, and related equipment for local power delivery across North Dakota service areas.

The Office of Management and Budget proposed new federal grant rules on May 29, 2026, raising cost concerns for state agencies, local governments, nonprofit groups, and public recipients. The proposal remained under review after public comments closed July 13, 2026. OMB listed October 1, 2026, as the possible start date if finalized through standard federal rulemaking.