Puerto Rico Chamber of Commerce Advocates for Federal Leadership to Solve Puerto Rico’s Energy Crisis

In Congressional Testimony before the U.S. House of Representatives’ Committee on Natural Resources’ Subcommittee on Indian and Insular Affairs

San Juan, Puerto Rico, September 25, 2024–– The Puerto Rico Chamber of Commerce (PRCC), represented by its president, Luis E. Pizarro Otero, Esq., is submitting a statement this week to the U.S. House of Representatives’ Committee on Natural Resources’ Subcommittee on Indian and Insular Affairs bringing attention to the critical state of Puerto Rico’s energy infrastructure, a situation exacerbated by seven years of failed reconstruction efforts following Hurricane Maria. The hearing will be focused on examining Puerto Rico’s electrical grid and the urgent need for reliable and resilient energy.

In the statement, Pizarro underscored the ongoing energy crisis as a result not just of technical failures or external challenges but a failure of management and accountability across both local and federal agencies. Despite billions of dollars allocated by Congress, and efforts spanning multiple administrations, the island continues to grapple with prolonged outages, unreliable service, and soaring electricity costs, all of which have severely impacted Puerto Rico’s economy and the daily lives of its 3.2 million U.S. citizens.

“The people of Puerto Rico have waited far too long for a reliable and affordable power supply,” stated Pizarro. “Businesses, schools, hospitals, and homes have all suffered because of the continuous failures to rebuild and modernize our electrical grid. It is unacceptable that after seven years, with substantial federal funding in place, we remain in the same precarious position”, he added. Furthermore, Pizarro emphasized that the energy crisis is not solely due to technical failures but also a result of execution shortcomings. He criticized the continuous “buck-passing” among key players responsible for the grid’s reconstruction, as part of the failed efforts up to now.

The Puerto Rico Chamber of Commerce, as the island’s leading private sector institution representing a multi-sectoral membership, expressed its profound frustration with the lack of tangible results. The organization calls for immediate and decisive federal intervention to break the deadlock and accelerate the energy transition on the island. Pizarro’s remarks call for the creation of a Cabinet-level Federal Task Force, with an Executive Director and staff to enforce deadlines and coordinate actions across federal agencies, while integrating local constituents, with an approach modeled after the successful federal response to Hurricane Sandy’s aftermath, which could bring accountability and cohesion to the recovery efforts.

To ensure a swift and effective energy transition, the Chamber advocated for the next U.S. President to issue an Executive Order establishing a federal task force to oversee Puerto Rico’s energy sector reconstruction. This task force, led by a high-level Cabinet member, would be responsible for cutting through and overcoming bureaucratic barriers, enforcing deadlines, and ensuring collaboration between all stakeholders, above and beyond the exsiting US Department of Energy’s Task Force.

The PRCC also urged the inclusion of Puerto Rico’s private sector in the task force. With vast expertise in energy, logistics, and project management, the business community stands ready and fully committed to contribute to the transformation of Puerto Rico’s energy infrastructure and recovery process.

The testimony stressed the need for clear performance metrics, regular reporting, and transparency as essential components of regaining the public’s trust and ensuring that federal resources are spent effectively and efficiently. Pizarro concluded by stating that Puerto Rico is at a critical juncture: it can either continue down the path of fragmented, ineffective efforts, or move toward a future powered by affordable and reliable energy, driven by bold federal leadership and meaningful private sector involvement.

“The status quo cannot continue,” Pizarro emphasized. “It’s time to act with resolve and purpose to deliver the future that the U.S. citizens residing in Puerto Rico deserve.”

Finally, CCPR highlighted the Resident Commissioner’s leadership in convening this important hearing, appreciated her efforts and that of the leaders of the Congressional Committee to work on behalf of the 3.2 million U.S. citizens in Puerto Rico to ensure that the island’s urgent energy needs receive the attention and resources they require.

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