Trump Administration Reverses Course on Ice Storm Aid for Northern Michigan Power Co-ops

The move comes after Michigan's governor met with the president and secured more federal assistance for the $305 million in damages.

Mar. 13, 2026 at 9:49pm

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The Trump administration has reversed its initial denial of federal disaster aid for rural electric cooperatives in northern Michigan that suffered extensive damage from a devastating ice storm last year. After meeting with Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has now authorized additional funding to cover permanent repairs to the power grids. The two hardest-hit co-ops, Presque Isle Electric & Gas Co-op and Great Lakes Energy, had sustained a combined $305 million in damages from the storm that left many residents without power for weeks.

Why it matters

This reversal is significant for residents in northern Michigan, as the co-ops had warned that without substantial federal aid, the repair costs would have to be passed on to members through higher utility bills. The cooperatives do not have investors to turn to and must integrate recovery costs into member rates. The additional aid will help lower the financial burden on these rural communities.

The details

The ice storm in late March 2025 caused widespread damage, snapping tree limbs and knocking out power lines and poles across northern Michigan. After initially denying aid under FEMA's 'Public Assistance Category F' for permanent utility repairs, the Trump administration has now authorized more funding to cover these costs. The reversal came after Governor Whitmer met with President Trump and secured an agreement for increased federal assistance.

  • The ice storm hit northern Michigan in late March 2025.
  • Trump initially denied disaster aid in July 2025.
  • Whitmer appealed the denials, but FEMA upheld them in October 2025.
  • Whitmer met with Trump this week and secured the reversal.
  • The additional federal aid was announced on March 13, 2026.

The players

Gretchen Whitmer

The governor of Michigan who met with President Trump and secured the reversal on disaster aid for northern Michigan power co-ops.

Donald Trump

The former president of the United States who initially denied disaster aid but later reversed course after meeting with Governor Whitmer.

Presque Isle Electric & Gas Co-op

A rural electric cooperative in northern Michigan that sustained $305 million in damages from the 2025 ice storm.

Great Lakes Energy

Another rural electric cooperative in northern Michigan that sustained $305 million in damages from the 2025 ice storm.

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What they’re saying

“This welcome news comes after months of fighting to ensure northern Michigan communities get the support they need, but the actual costs are still unknown.”

— Gretchen Whitmer, Governor of Michigan

“The ice storms damaged thousands of utility poles, hundreds of transformers, and destroyed countless miles of power lines. This amendment will help lower the cost for residents who have been paying for the utility repair work following the historic ice storms last year. I want to thank President Trump for meeting with me earlier this week and agreeing to grant further assistance.”

— Gretchen Whitmer, Governor of Michigan

What’s next

The state legislature in Michigan still needs to provide funding to cover the 25% state match required for the federal disaster aid.

The takeaway

This reversal on disaster aid for northern Michigan's rural electric co-ops demonstrates the power of advocacy and negotiation, as Governor Whitmer was able to secure additional federal assistance after initially being denied. However, the full costs of the repairs are still unknown, and residents may still face higher utility bills unless the state legislature steps in to cover the required state match.