Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Aumua Amata has announced that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has awarded a federal grant in the amount of $2,404,941 to assist in funding the American Samoa Power Authority’s — Underground Mitigation Project.

“The people of American Samoa are well aware of the damage caused by hurricanes and cyclones to our island,” stated Amata. “Due to the high cost of repairs we see after each and every storm, it makes sense to develop a permanent plan to address the issue, and prevent further costs, and power outages,” continued Amata.

The FEMA grant will provide funding to the American Samoa Power Authority, so that they can relocate the transmission and distribution lines from the Tafuna Ottoville area to the Malaeimi intersection. The overhead power lines will now be placed underground, protecting them from high wind damage during hurricanes and cyclones.

“I want to thank those FEMA officials, who saw the need and importance for this funding, as well as those here in American Samoa, who put in the work to ensure that our beautiful island was considered for these funds. This is a great project, that will allow for far fewer outages, and will also allow the island to save a considerable amount of money in the future, because we will no longer have to repair and replace downed lines in that area,” concluded Amata.