Industry groups back FEMA as ‘essential’ disaster agency

By Thomas Frank | 05/19/2025 06:52 AM EDT

Utilities, energy companies and the wireless industry were among the groups that called for strengthening the agency as President Donald Trump considers dismantling it.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem speaks on Capitol Hill.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, seen testifying on Capitol Hill, is planning to overhaul the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

The Federal Emergency Management Agency, facing potential upheaval under President Donald Trump, has received a wave of support from powerful groups such as the wireless industry, electric utilities, power companies and real estate agents.

They submitted testimony emphasizing the importance of FEMA in helping communities recover from disasters — and warning against the administration’s plan to weaken the agency.

“Rather than shifting responsibility to states, FEMA’s role at the federal level should be maintained,” the Large Public Power Council, which represents the nation’s biggest public power systems, told a Trump-appointed council reviewing FEMA.

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Comments received by the council in recent days have highlighted little-known FEMA activities that help maintain services such as electricity, water and wireless communications during a disaster. Trump’s FEMA Review Council holds its first meeting Tuesday.

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