Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - March 10, 2001
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Locke, Legislature provide $2 million in matching funds for earthquake, energy relief

OLYMPIA - The first bill to pass this Legislature will provide $2 million in state matching funds to help people whose homes were damaged in the Nisqually Earthquake as well as low-income people having a hard time paying high electricity bills, Gov. Gary Locke announced today.

He said he will sign the bill at a ceremony scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Monday (March 12) at the sundial between the O'Brien and Cherberg Buildings on the Capitol Campus.

"I congratulate the Legislature for moving so quickly to help people harmed by the recent earthquake as well as those having a hard time paying record-high power bills," Locke said.

"This state and its citizens are being tested by earthquake, drought and outrageous energy costs so I'm pleased to join the Legislature to do all we can to help as quickly as possible," the governor added.

House Bill 2222 passed the House of Representatives Friday night and the Senate passed it this morning.

Locke said it provides:

One million dollars from the state's emergency reserve to match $3 million from the Federal Emergency Management Agency for victims of the Feb. 28 Nisqually Earthquake

Another $1 million from the state's emergency reserve was appropriated to match $4 million in federal funds to aid low-income citizens who require help to heat and light their homes.

The state Military Department will administer the earthquake funds while the Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development will manage the low-income home energy assistance program.

» Return to this month's News Releases

» View News Release Archive