I wrote an earlier post about FEMA. FEMA didn't like it because I used their name. Apparently, I referenced a name that was on their "Contact" list. I guess they really didn't mean it. I presume you are supposed to guess who to "contact." (See "Reply to FEMA, 2/17/16).
Anyway, it would now seem we have exhausted all our appeals to FEMA requesting help for our under-insured and uninsured victims of the tornado. I guess FEMA's explanation is that there is simply not enough damage to warrant their interest.........or they are just being frugal. It would appear that in their logic, the 400th person to have their house ripped apart by a storm is not worthy of help. Apparantly, if one was the 800th person who lost their house, they would be entitled.
Please, please, someone tell me the difference in circumstances between the 400th victim and the 800th victim. They both lost their houses and they were both under-insured or uninsured. That makes absolutely no sense to me.
Oh, the government is being frugal, you say. Please review the list below. Pay particular attention to Solyndra and Fisker adventures. Kiss that money goodbye.
So much for frugal.
If you don't Google the email addresses and phone numbers of your State and Federal representatives, and give them a piece of your mind, you are not from Rowlett. Just to round out the picture, I think a note to FEMA would be appropriate. I would threaten every state and federal official running for office that you expect to read about them in the newspaper about their shame for FEMA's conduct. Here's the deal: If they can't speak up for you, you can't vote for them. That sounds like a fair deal.
Get after them, NOW! We have people needing help. It's your duty to help a neighbor. Or, you can let state and federal elected officials continue to skip down the rose covered path cashing paychecks, and playing with projects such as below.
____________________ .
A123: The battery maker received a $249 million Department of Energy stimulus grant to build two factories in Michigan to manufacture batteries for electric cars.
The company drew down $132 million of that grant, and the factories are up and running, according to the DOE.
As part of A123's bankruptcy announced earlier this week, the factories were sold to Johnson Controls (JCI), which is expected to keep them open. Since the investment was a grant, the government got no money back. It's unclear whether Johnson will be eligible to draw down the remaining grant funds.
Abound Solar: The manufacturer of thin-film solar panels received a $400 million DOE stimulus loan guarantee to build two factories -- one outside Kokomo, Indiana and another outside of Denver.
Abound drew down $70 million of the grant to build the Denver factory. Abound declared bankruptcy in June amid strong competition and the collapsing price of solar panels.
Its assets are being auctioned off, and DOE is expected to lose to $40 to $60 million on the deal.
Beacon Power: The company received a $43 million DOE stimulus loan guarantee to build a facility in upstate New York that uses flywheels to store extra energy from the power grid, and then release it when needed. Such technology is seen as essential to integrate wind and solar into the grid, as those sources don't produce energy 24/7.
The company spent $39 million to build the project, which consists of wheels inside vacuum tubes that can spin at near perpetual motion. Beacon went bankrupt amid low prices for natural gas, which can be burned to produce electricity.
The flywheel plant was sold to a competitor, and DOE is slated to receive at least $27 million in the deal.
Ener1: A subsidiary of the company, EnerDel, received an $118.5 million grant to build two plants outside Indianapolis to manufacture batteries for electric cars and other uses.
Ener1 declared bankruptcy in January, and the company was bought by a Russian investor. The plants in Indianapolis continue to make batteries.
Solyndra: The manufacturer of advanced solar panels received a $535 million loan guarantee to build a factory outside of San Francisco.
Solyndra went bankrupt in 2011 amid falling prices for solar panels, and has since served as the poster child for well-meaning government policy gone bad.
Its assets are being auctioned off, and DOE is not expected to recover any meaningful amount of money.
Related: Obama vs. Romney: 9 energy flashpoints
The House Committee also pointed to two other DOE-funded companies that have made negative headlines as of late, but are still in businesses.
Fisker Automotive: The electric car maker received a $529 million DOE-backed stimulus loan to design a mid-priced model and build a factory to manufacture the vehicle in Delaware.
In February, Fisker put the manufacture of the sedan on hold amid lower than expected demand for electric cars and announced layoffs, though still says it plans on building the car in 2014. The company has drawn down about $200 million of the loan.
The future of rechargeable batteries:Nevada Geothermal Power: The firm received a $98 million DOE-backed loan to build a geothermal power plant north of Reno.
According to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, an internal audit of the firm revealed $98 million in net losses and significant debt.
DOE says the power plant the loan built has a long-term agreement to sell electricity, and its investment will be protected no matter what happens to the parent company.
Anyway, it would now seem we have exhausted all our appeals to FEMA requesting help for our under-insured and uninsured victims of the tornado. I guess FEMA's explanation is that there is simply not enough damage to warrant their interest.........or they are just being frugal. It would appear that in their logic, the 400th person to have their house ripped apart by a storm is not worthy of help. Apparantly, if one was the 800th person who lost their house, they would be entitled.
Please, please, someone tell me the difference in circumstances between the 400th victim and the 800th victim. They both lost their houses and they were both under-insured or uninsured. That makes absolutely no sense to me.
Oh, the government is being frugal, you say. Please review the list below. Pay particular attention to Solyndra and Fisker adventures. Kiss that money goodbye.
So much for frugal.
If you don't Google the email addresses and phone numbers of your State and Federal representatives, and give them a piece of your mind, you are not from Rowlett. Just to round out the picture, I think a note to FEMA would be appropriate. I would threaten every state and federal official running for office that you expect to read about them in the newspaper about their shame for FEMA's conduct. Here's the deal: If they can't speak up for you, you can't vote for them. That sounds like a fair deal.
Get after them, NOW! We have people needing help. It's your duty to help a neighbor. Or, you can let state and federal elected officials continue to skip down the rose covered path cashing paychecks, and playing with projects such as below.
____________________ .
A123: The battery maker received a $249 million Department of Energy stimulus grant to build two factories in Michigan to manufacture batteries for electric cars.
The company drew down $132 million of that grant, and the factories are up and running, according to the DOE.
As part of A123's bankruptcy announced earlier this week, the factories were sold to Johnson Controls (JCI), which is expected to keep them open. Since the investment was a grant, the government got no money back. It's unclear whether Johnson will be eligible to draw down the remaining grant funds.
Abound Solar: The manufacturer of thin-film solar panels received a $400 million DOE stimulus loan guarantee to build two factories -- one outside Kokomo, Indiana and another outside of Denver.
Abound drew down $70 million of the grant to build the Denver factory. Abound declared bankruptcy in June amid strong competition and the collapsing price of solar panels.
Its assets are being auctioned off, and DOE is expected to lose to $40 to $60 million on the deal.
Beacon Power: The company received a $43 million DOE stimulus loan guarantee to build a facility in upstate New York that uses flywheels to store extra energy from the power grid, and then release it when needed. Such technology is seen as essential to integrate wind and solar into the grid, as those sources don't produce energy 24/7.
The company spent $39 million to build the project, which consists of wheels inside vacuum tubes that can spin at near perpetual motion. Beacon went bankrupt amid low prices for natural gas, which can be burned to produce electricity.
The flywheel plant was sold to a competitor, and DOE is slated to receive at least $27 million in the deal.
Ener1: A subsidiary of the company, EnerDel, received an $118.5 million grant to build two plants outside Indianapolis to manufacture batteries for electric cars and other uses.
Ener1 declared bankruptcy in January, and the company was bought by a Russian investor. The plants in Indianapolis continue to make batteries.
Solyndra: The manufacturer of advanced solar panels received a $535 million loan guarantee to build a factory outside of San Francisco.
Solyndra went bankrupt in 2011 amid falling prices for solar panels, and has since served as the poster child for well-meaning government policy gone bad.
Its assets are being auctioned off, and DOE is not expected to recover any meaningful amount of money.
Related: Obama vs. Romney: 9 energy flashpoints
The House Committee also pointed to two other DOE-funded companies that have made negative headlines as of late, but are still in businesses.
Fisker Automotive: The electric car maker received a $529 million DOE-backed stimulus loan to design a mid-priced model and build a factory to manufacture the vehicle in Delaware.
In February, Fisker put the manufacture of the sedan on hold amid lower than expected demand for electric cars and announced layoffs, though still says it plans on building the car in 2014. The company has drawn down about $200 million of the loan.
The future of rechargeable batteries:Nevada Geothermal Power: The firm received a $98 million DOE-backed loan to build a geothermal power plant north of Reno.
According to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, an internal audit of the firm revealed $98 million in net losses and significant debt.
DOE says the power plant the loan built has a long-term agreement to sell electricity, and its investment will be protected no matter what happens to the parent company.
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