FEMA Repays West Virginia Entities for Chemical Spill Costs

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has reimbursed $1.4 million to local and state governments, hospitals and some non-profit groups for costs related to January’s chemical spill in Charleston, West Virginia.

The Charleston Daily Mail reports FEMA assistance has been awarded to 35 entities in Boone, Cabell, Kanawha, Lincoln and Putnam counties totaling more than $1 million. In addition, the National Guard is among six state agencies awarded more than $420,000.

Another dozen requests for assistance are pending.

No entities from Clay, Jackson, Logan or Roane counties applied for assistance.

In April, FEMA approved Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin’s request to allow first responders, public agencies in the nine affected counties, and certain nonprofit groups to apply for grants to recoup costs incurred in the days after the Jan. 9 spill.