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 February 20, 2020, 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 funding in the amount of $844,900.00 in Public Assistance funding.

The Applicant’s July 30, 2019 first appeal was returned with no action taken.  FEMA explained that it analyzed the costs on appeal in an August 1, 2014 first appeal, therefore the Applicant needed to file a second appeal.  However, FEMA can consider issues on second appeal only after they have been adjudicated on first appeal.  Here, issues raised on first appeal have not yet been adjudicated.  Therefore, the appeal will be remanded to FEMA Region VI so that the eligibility issues raised in the Applicant’s first appeal can be adjudicated. 

Please inform the Applicant of my decision.  The Applicant’s right to a second appeal is not impacted by this decision.  It may submit a second appeal pursuant to 44 C.F.R. § 206.206 if dissatisfied with the Regional Administrator’s first appeal decision regarding this matter. 

                                                                           Sincerely,

                                                                                  /S/

                                                                           Ana Montero

                                                                           Division Director

                                                                           Public Assistance Division

cc: George A. Robinson

Regional Administrator

FEMA Region VI