Biden Admin. Gives Update on Its Work to Modernize Puerto Rico’s Electrical System

Image courtesy of La Fortaleza.

By Mivette Vega

February 1, 2023

The US Secretary of Energy is on the island this week to give an update on the progress of the projects and visit communities.

US Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm is in Puerto Rico to share an update on the modernization process of the island’s electrical system, which is one of the most outdated and expensive in the world.

She shared details of a report from the Puerto Rico Grid Resilience and Transition to 100% Renewable (PR100) Study.

PR100 began in February 2022, and operates with funds from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The two-year study was designed to help inform infrastructure investments that will provide Puerto Rico with clean, reliable, and affordable power.

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“As many of you know, in the wake of Hurricane Fiona, President Biden came and put together a Puerto Rico modernization and recovery team in October, to make sure we cut through what was necessary in order to quickly move on fixing Puerto Rico’s energy challenges,” Granholm said in a news conference on Monday.

As part of the progress that has been made since then, Granholm said that in November, there were 50 approved electric power projects. Currently there are 94.

FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell reported that up to now, seven permanent works projects have been completed for the reconstruction of the energy system since Hurricane María passed five years ago.

Granholm, Crisell, and Gov. Pedro Pierluisi emphasized the importance of the electrical system being transformed into renewable energy. Puerto Rico does have enough renewable energy from the sun and wind to not make use of fossil sources until 2050, according to the PR100 study.

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“Puerto Rico can be an example from ground zero of how a region, how an island, any part of the United States, or any country, can be 100% reliable on renewable clean resources. It is a moment for Puerto Rico to be able to rise from the tragedies of these hurricanes and earthquakes. To build a system that truly is a model, but it is not going to happen on its own. It will take a considerable effort,” Granholm said.

This week, the secretary will visit communities in Loíza, Culebra, Vieques, and Coquí and Las Margaritas in Salinas.

https://theamericanonews.com/floricua/newsletter/

Author

Mivette Vega

Mivette Vega is a seasoned journalist and multimedia reporter whose stories center the Latino community. She is passionate about justice, equality, environmental matters, and animals. She is a Salvadorrican—Salvadorian that grew up in Puerto Rico—that has lived in San Juan, Venice, Italy, and Miami.

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