IID Director Alex Cardenas presents the Resolution at APPA in support of the Fixing Emergency Management for Americans Act. 

During its annual Legislative Rally, the American Public Power Association’s (APPA) Legislative and Resolutions Committee adopted a resolution sponsored by the Imperial Irrigation District (IID) that urges Congressional leaders and the White House to prioritize Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) reform while strengthening the Federal Government’s role in disaster response.

Resolution 26-08 highlights the critical role public power utilities play on the front lines of disaster response, restoring service and supporting recovery efforts for more than 54 million customers across over 2,000 communities nationwide.

It also emphasizes FEMA’s essential role in coordinating disaster response and providing public assistance when state and local resources are overwhelmed, while calling attention to burdensome reimbursement requirements and prolonged review timelines that can delay restoration efforts.

“This resolution sends a clear message to our leaders in Congress and the White House that APPA supports meaningful FEMA reform that strengthens — not weakens — the federal government’s role in disaster response,” said IID Director Alex Cardenas during his presentation.

Director Cardenas serves as 1^st Vice President of APPA’s Policy Makers Council. Joining him at the adoption of the resolution were IID Chairwoman Karin Eugenio and Director Lewis Pacheco.

The resolution also expresses support for H.R. 4669, the Fixing Emergency Management for Americans Act of 2025, which would streamline FEMA’s Public Assistance process, expedite reimbursement for emergency work, and reduce regulatory risk for communities recovering from disasters.

Through this effort, IID continues to demonstrate leadership in advocating for policies that support timely disaster recovery and reimbursement, helping ensure communities — including those served by IID — recover quickly and efficiently after major events.

Click here to learn more about IID’s sponsored resolution.