Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority
Coverage of Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority in the Nexus archive.
- Federal audit finds Puerto Rico awaiting billions of dollars nearly a decade after deadly hurricane
A federal audit found only 25% of $14 billion in federal funds for Puerto Rico's power grid post-Hurricane Maria had been disbursed nearly a decade later, with delays attributed to staff turnover, onerous project reviews, and the territory's financial struggles. Chronic blackouts persist despite the allocated funds, with only 400 miles of planned vegetation clearance completed by February.
- Federal audit finds Puerto Rico awaiting billions of dollars nearly a decade after deadly hurricane
A federal audit found that only 25% of $14 billion in federal funds for Puerto Rico’s power grid recovery after Hurricane Maria has been disbursed nearly a decade later. Delays include staff turnover, complex project reviews, Puerto Rico’s financial struggles, and a former policy requiring manual approval for large expenditures.
- Inside the government’s push to divert Puerto Rico solar funds to a bankrupt utility
Congress approved a $1 billion Energy Resilience Fund for Puerto Rico in 2022 to support solar and battery systems for low-income residents. The Trump administration redirected most funds to Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA), a bankrupt utility, to upgrade fossil fuel power plants and build a natural gas pipeline, bypassing competitive bidding and waiving standard cost-sharing requirements. Critics argue this shift undermines the original intent to provide resilient backup power for medically vulnerable communities.