Puerto Rico Chamber of Commerce Pushes for Federal Coordination of Energy Grid Reconstruction
In a letter sent by the private sector organization and more than 17 of its affiliated associations to the Fiscal Oversight and Management Board
Luis E. Pizarro Otero, Esq., LLM, president and chairman of the PRCC, stressed the critical role of a stable energy system in Puerto Rico’s energy recovery and long-term economic growth.
“It is essential that the Fiscal Board takes immediate action to lead and coordinate all relevant parties, ensuring that the grid’s reconstruction efforts are prioritized and that federal funds allocated for this purpose are used quickly and effectively,” said Pizarro.
The PRCC, representing a wide range of sectors from Puerto Rico’s business community, including over 17 affiliated private sector organizations that support the initiative, is pushing for the completion of the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) as a first step in addressing the grid’s challenges. The IRP is a critical roadmap that outlines the island’s energy transformation and sets the stage for a more efficient, resilient, and sustainable power system.
According to the letter, the delay in approving the disbursement of funds and federal inter-agency coordination has represented an additional challenge in the island’s energy system. The Chamber is requesting that the FOMB, as an entity created by the United States Congress, establish a permanent Energy Working Group to oversee the reconstruction efforts. The PRCC also reiterated its proposal for the creation of a federal Puerto Rico Revitalization Cabinet Task Force, modeled after the successful post-Hurricane Sandy initiative led by the White House. This proposed task force would coordinate energy transition efforts, involving both public and private sector stakeholders to ensure tangible results.
“The status quo of Puerto Rico’s energy grid is unacceptable,” Pizarro concluded. “Businesses cannot thrive, and our economy is affected, without a reliable and sustainable energy system. Given that energy is a critical project for Puerto Rico, the Fiscal Board must assume its corresponding role now to ensure that energy reconstruction efforts move forward without further delay.”
The PRCC has expressed its willingness to collaborate with the FOMB and other stakeholders to ensure that Puerto Rico’s energy future is aligned with the broader goals of economic recovery and sustainable development.
The letter follows recent testimony provided by the PRCC to the U.S. House of Representatives’ Natural Resources Committee, where the Chamber called for federal support in Puerto Rico’s energy sector. With private sector organizations across the island backing the effort, the Chamber hopes to drive forward meaningful changes that will finally stabilize the grid and fuel Puerto Rico’s economic revitalization.
Media Contact:
Karen Garnik, APR – 787-502-2424
karen@globalvisioncomms.com
Isadora Hernández – 787-310-3807
isadora@globalvisioncomms.com
