August 26th, 2024
The largest Federal grant to Monroe since the Pure Waters Tunnel project protects the environment; ensures water treatment continues during power outages
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Monroe County Executive Adam Bello, joined by Congressman Joe Morelle today, announced a $16,852,504 Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grant to procure and install emergency generators at the Frank E. Van Lare Water Resource Recovery Facility. Monroe County’s foresight in planning and constructing a new electrical facility to house the generators paved the way for the highly coveted FEMA grant. Congressman Morelle and Senators Schumer and Gillibrand were powerful advocates and supporters of the grant application.
“Investment in vital infrastructure is one of the four pillars of my administration. With the rise in severe weather events, we cannot let a power outage put our environment and water quality at risk,” said County Executive Bello. “Fifty years ago, this county planned and built a deep tunnel sewage system that is the envy of other communities nationwide. We continued that foresight with prior planning and the completion last year of a ready structure to house the acquisition of back-up generators. This readiness played a major role in Monroe receiving this FEMA grant. Thank you to Congressman Morelle, Senators Schumer and Gillibrand for their tireless advocacy and focus on protecting our environment.”
While many other communities competed for this grant, FEMA noted Monroe County was far ahead of other areas with planning and construction. Generators of this size can take up to two years to fabricate. The need to design and construct a building with the wiring and switch gear to support them would add considerable time for other communities to deploy similar generators.
The grant will cover the cost of procuring and the installation of three 2.5MW standby generators in the recently constructed electrical system building, as well for the installation of associated switches, transformers and switchgear to provide onsite power for all plant processes in the event of an outage of utility power.
“As we continue to face the effects of the climate crisis, it’s critical we take proactive measures to be ready for anything that comes our way. Today, I joined County Executive Adam Bello to announce over $16.8 million in funding I helped secure to do just that,” said U.S. Congressman Joe Morelle. “Thanks to this investment from FEMA, we’re continuing our work to modernize the systems our community relies on and keep our neighbors safe from any potential public health crises. I’m grateful to Senators Schumer and Gillibrand for their partnership in advocating for this funding, and I look forward to continuing my work with them and County Executive Bello to uplift our community.”
U.S. Senator Charles Schumer said, “These new generators will keep the critical Van Lare water treatment facility powered up and in business such that during an electrical outage damages will not be compounded on our environment and waterways. I was proud to help secure this $16 million federal FEMA investment to upgrade this vital infrastructure for the health and well-being of Monroe County’s local businesses and residents and commend County Executive Bello for undertaking this project.
“With this FEMA grant, the Van Lare Treatment Plant will soon be equipped with multiple generators to independently power all operations in the event of power failure,” said U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. “This level of readiness for severe weather impacts is vital and I applaud Monroe County for its efforts to ensure that water quality and the environment are protected. I’ll keep fighting to ensure that FEMA has the resources to mitigate the effects of severe weather and respond to the needs of all New York communities.”
Recommended standards for treatment facilities call for at least two independent power sources or standby electrical generating capacity. Initially, Van Lare had dual line power inputs, but local electrical supply changes eliminated the second independent source. The new generators are diesel powered to ensure complete independence from the power grid. Each generator is about the size of a box truck and requires suitable foundations and housing.
The new electrical building is part of the $74 million Van Lare improvement project, which includes new secondary clarifiers and aerations system improvements. A project labor agreement (PLA) is in place for the entire project.
