would make it the 4th most expensive hurricane in 
the history of the United States, according to the In-
surance Information Institute. Hurricane Katrina 
caused $43 billion in damages. 
(6) Cedric Delane passed away September 14, 
2008, due in part to a lack of electricity and not 
being identified as part of the vulnerable class of 
people that needed assistance immediately. Cedric 
was a 5th grade student at Blackshear Elementary 
in Houston, Texas. Cedric was an asthmatic and 
suffered a severe attack during Hurricane Ike. The 
lack of electrical power prevented the use of his 
breathing machine, which could possibly have saved 
his life. The paramedics were called and Cedric was 
transported to the hospital, but he did not survive. 
(7) There have been more than 370,000 over-
night shelter stays, over 8.77 million meals served, 
and over 190,000 clean-up kits and comfort kits dis-
tributed in the Houston-Galveston area of Texas 
after Hurricanes Gustav and Ike. 
(8) The Texas Public Utility Commissioners did 
not require electric companies on the coast to ensure 
reliability in their distribution systems against hurri-
canes after the Texas Public Utility Commission 
staff recommended aggressive tree-trimming pro-
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grams and major upgrades, including replacing 
wooden electric poles with metal or concrete poles in 
2005 after Hurricane Rita. 
(9) Texas Public utility companies fought the 
recommendations on the grounds that upgrading the 
distribution system would cost far more than repair-
ing it after a storm, however the Texas Public Util-
ity Commission ordered a cost-benefit analysis of 
only one recommendation: moving electric sub-
stations out of flood zones. 
(10) There were 28 Houston-area deaths attrib-
uted to Hurricane Ike with over a half a million peo-
ple without electrical power for more than a week in-
cluding many elderly, disabled, and medically-de-
pendent persons. 
(11) Without criminal enforcement of reliability 
standards with penalties by FERC and cost-benefit 
studies that include United States Census and Fed-
eral Emergency Management Agency data on vulner-
able populations and loss of electricity on those pop-
ulations, greater loss of property and life will occur. 
SEC. 3. FERC ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITY. 
Section 215(e) of the Federal Power Act (16 U.S.C. 
824o) is amended as follows: 
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(1) In paragraph (1) by striking ‘‘ERO may 
impose, subject to paragraph (2),’’ and inserting 
‘‘Commission may impose’’ and by striking ‘‘if the 
ERO’’ and inserting ‘‘if the Commission’’. 
(2) Paragraph (2) is amended to read as fol-
lows: 
‘‘(2) Any person who violates any standard ap-
proved by the Commission under subsection (d) 
shall, upon conviction, be fined in accordance with 
title 18, United States Code, or imprisoned not more 
than 5 years, or both.’’. 
(3) Paragraph (4) is repealed. 
(4) In paragraph (6) by striking ‘‘penalty im-
posed under this section’’ and inserting ‘‘civil pen-
alty imposed under paragraph (1) of this section’’. 
SEC. 4. DISTURBANCES LASTING LONGER THAN 5 DAYS. 
Within 180 days after the enactment of this Act the 
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission shall issue a rule 
under section 215 of the Federal Power Act amending the 
reliability standards under that section to prohibit disturb-
ances (other than planned maintenance) lasting greater 
than 5 days at substations subject to section 215. 
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SEC. 5. STUDY AND REPORT ON EMERGENCY PLANNING 
PREPAREDNESS FOR VULNERABLE POPU-
LATIONS. 
(a) STUDY.—The Secretary of the Department of 
Homeland Security, acting through the Assistant Sec-
retary of the Office of the Infrastructure Protection, shall 
conduct a study to examine gaps in emergency planning 
preparedness and management as related to vulnerable 
populations including— 
(1) individuals with physical and mental disabil-
ities, visual impairments, hearing impairments, lim-
ited English proficiency, and literacy barriers; 
(2) socially and economically disadvantaged 
households and communities; 
(3) individuals over 65 years old; 
(4) minor children; and 
(5) individuals with pets or service animals. 
(b) REPORT.—Not later than one year after the date 
of the enactment of this Act the Secretary of the Depart-
ment of Homeland Security, acting through the Assistant 
Secretary of the Office of the Infrastructure Protection, 
shall submit to the Committee on Homeland Security of 
the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Sen-
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ate a report containing the results of the study under sub-
section (a) and any recommendations of the Secretary. 
Æ 
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