Gov. Gavin Newsom recently announced the distribution of an additional $50 million in community power resiliency grants through the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES). These grants build on previous efforts to protect local communities and vulnerable Californians from the impacts of utility-initiated power shutoffs.

“Even amidst a global pandemic, we continue to prepare our state for the natural and man-made disasters that may lie ahead,” said Newson. “These grants are part of our continued commitment to make sure that no Californian is left behind when disasters strike.”

The funds released were allocated through the 2020-21 state budget and designed to maintain the continuity of critical services that can be impacted by power outages including schools, county election offices, food storage reserves and COVID-19 testing sites.

The grants awarded by Cal OES were distributed to a total of 225 recipients including all counties, 51 incorporated cities, 20 federally recognized tribes and 96 special districts.