Over 40 organizations, business and churches have asked Congress to approve $5 billion in needed spending to strengthen Puerto Rico’s energy grid. They have sent a letter that asks for funding to update Puerto Rico’s outdated energy system.

“It has been five years since Hurricane María and we still suffer from frequent blackouts,” said David Ortiz, Solar United Neighbors Puerto Rico program director. “It’s time to fix this problem. Solar energy and battery storage is the solution. It would save Congress billions of dollars in the future, every time we get hit by a storm.”

Puerto Rico’s energy grid remains poorly managed, centralized and vulnerable to catastrophic failure when major storms hit. The system relies on expensive fossil fuel plants and aging transmission lines.

When this system fails, it can leave communities without electricity for weeks at a time. Previous funding efforts have focused on rebuilding existing infrastructure. This has kept the same vulnerable system in place.

Solar and storage systems withstand storms and provide continuous electricity. This is why these groups have asked Congress to fund a new, better electric system. The money in the request would pay for rooftop solar and battery storage systems to benefit low-income and vulnerable households. It would also fund solar and storage for non-profit organizations and municipalities. These larger systems would serve as part of community resiliency projects.

“Puerto Ricans from all walks of life want a solution to this life-threatening energy crisis,” Ortiz said. “We hope Congress decides to support this bill.”

News item from Solar United Neighbors