Biden, Department of Energy announce massive $440 million solar project
The Biden Administration announced that the Department of Energy is setting aside $440 million for rooftop solar panels in Puerto Rico. The project is expected to lower energy costs for up to 40,000 single-family households on the Island. This is considered a major step toward achieving Puerto Rico’s goal of 100% renewable energy by 2050. Eligible homes under this program must be located in low-income areas with frequent and/or long-term power outages or include a resident with an energy-dependent disability, such as an electric wheelchair. Three companies and five non-profits on the Island have been selected to install the solar panels.
FEMA announces new nursing home construction funding
FEMA last week announced a new series of grants totaling $6.6 million to carry out repairs to three Puerto Rican nursing homes: Hogar Santa Teresa Jornet in Cupey, Hogar Santa Marta in Ponce, and Hogar Nuestra Señora de la Providencia in Puerta de Tierra. This is on top of the $1.2 billion total that FEMA has awarded since 2017 for more than 1,100 permanent construction projects in private, nonprofit long-term care facilities and nursing homes. Approximately $4.8 million will go to Hogar Santa Maria to conduct infrastructure and electric repairs. Hogar Nuestra Señora de la Providencia has been awarded $637,200 for reconstruction and hazard mitigation. Finally, $1.2 million was awarded to Hogar Santa Teresa Jornet in Cupey for mitigation, construction and repairs to the road infrastructure around the facility.
New study shows energy costs in Puerto Rico highest in nation and expected to rise
A new study conducted by economist José Caraballo-Cueto shows that the current cost of energy in Puerto Rico is five times higher than on the mainland and will get worse with the proposed payments to bondholders of the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA). The study, called “Impact of Energy Costs on Puerto Rico’s Trade,” was commissioned by the Supermercados Selectos chain. Its findings are based not only on costs of electricity, which are technically lower than Hawaii, but also incorporated average income, which led to the report’s fivefold costs. The report says that the proposed PREPA Debt Adjustment Plan includes a “legacy cost” that will be added to energy bills for the next 35 years and recommends eliminating this legacy cost in the final PREPA Debt plan.
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