Puerto Rico Chamber of Commerce defends federal funds for the recovery and reconstruction of the electrical system

Private sector leadership announces new round of meetings with government officials in the federal capital.

San Juan, Puerto Rico, September 17, 2024 – The Puerto Rico Chamber of Commerce (CCPR) announced the start this week of a new round of meetings with groups of experts and government officials from the executive and legislative branches in the federal capital, to expedite the disbursement of recovery funds allocated to the island. eliminate bureaucratic processes and direct the construction of works necessary for economic development. The leading private sector entity also seeks to streamline the reconstruction of the energy system and identify alternatives from operators that have been successful in other jurisdictions for possible contracting.

“Given the importance of the U.S. elections and the impact they have on Puerto Rico‘s priority issues, we want to anticipate the transition processes of the federal government administration that will occur after this year‘s election process. Puerto Rico still has a long way to go in the recovery processes and it is up to us to defend the funds allocated to the island and streamline the administrative processes related to education, health and economic development,” said Lcdo. Luis Pizarro, president of the Chamber of Commerce. “Our priority is to provoke actions in terms of the reconstruction of the energy system, starting with greater oversight of the electricity system and identifying the best commercial practices in other jurisdictions,” added the union leader.

The effort, called by the private sector institution as FACES 8 (Federal Affairs Chamber Educational Series) is made up of Pizarro; José Julio Aparicio, vice president of the CCPR; Agustín Rojo, president of the Association of Builders; and Lcdo. Raúl Candelario. Advisor to the board of directors of the CCPR.

The meetings include recovery experts from the federal capital‘s leading research and public policy institutes and government officials. The agenda includes meetings with the Center for American Progress, Heritage Foundation, US Chamber of Commerce, Center for Budget & Policy Priorities and the American Legislative Exchange Council. Meetings will also be held with Florida Congressman Darren Soto, staff from Congressman Troy Carter‘s office, the U.S. House Committee on Natural Resources, and Gretchen Sierra from President Biden‘s office at the White House.

Carter is the Democratic minority leader on the U.S. House subcommittee on FEMA. His adviser James Bernhard was the FEMA leader for the state of Louisiana in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

“Puerto Rico‘s private sector requires an economical, effective, efficient and reliable electricity system that supplies small and medium-sized businesses with continuous energy to strengthen our competitiveness and promote economic development. The persistent electrical instability and service uncertainty cause a significant loss of income to all businesses and hinders economic activity,” said Aparicio, who is president of the CCPR‘s federal affairs committee.

The Chamber of Commerce‘s visits to the federal capital also seek to boost efforts to bring high–tech manufacturing and pharmaceutical industry operations to the United States and its territories.

Contactos de Medios:
Karen Garnik, APR – 787-502-2424
karen@globalvisioncomms.com

Isadora Hernández – 787-310-3807
isadora@globalvisioncomms.com