WASHINGTON – This afternoon Senators Joseph I. Lieberman and Richard Blumenthal joined Representatives John B. Larson (CT-01), Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) and Chris Murphy (CT-05) in announcing a federal $170,000 grant aimed at helping the Central Connecticut Regional Planning Agency (CCRPA) create an ongoing “disaster resilience plan.”

Under the terms of the grant, provided by the Economic Development Administration, CCRPA will conduct a study to identify vulnerable framework in the region’s transportation network, flood control, and power generation and transmission systems. The grant was issued in response from damage caused by Hurricane Irene in fall of 2011.

The lawmakers issued the following statement in support of the grant announcement:

“Over the last year we have seen firsthand the destruction Superstorm Sandy, Winter Storm Alfred and Hurricane Irene have caused throughout our communities. With the possibility of these types of storms becoming more common thanks to the effects of climate change, it is critical that Connecticut is prepared. Nobody can prevent or predict when these storms will hit, but thanks to this grant CCRPA is taking the first step to ensure that Connecticut is ready.”