Study: Puerto Rico could achieve 75% renewable energy use in 15 yrs.
March 11, 2021
Investing $9.6 billion in distributed solar panels and batteries — funds that are already available from the federal government — could transform Puerto Rico’s electrical system into a resilient grid that provides every home on the island with a clean, reliable source of energy, according to a report. The report by Puerto Rico organization Cambio […]
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LUMA Energy will not increase energy rates through ’24
February 22, 2021
LUMA Energy, the company that will operate Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority’s electric power transmission and distribution system for the next 15 years, vowed not to increase rates during the first three years after it officially begins operating on June 1, 2021. In a presentation to members of the media, LUMA CEO Wayne Stensby confirmed […]
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PREPA unveils 10-year, $10.7B grid revitalization program
January 21, 2021
The Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority announced the start of its Electric Grid Revitalization Program, using a $10.7 billion allocation from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Details of the 10-year infrastructure modernization plan, delivered and approved by FEMA in December to rebuild and bring the electrical system on the island up to standards and […]
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Op-Ed: PREPA continues to pursue natural gas plans with federal funding
January 13, 2021
In August 2020, the Puerto Rico Energy Bureau approved a long-term plan for the island’s electrical system that called for greater investments in renewable energy and storage. The bureau worked for months to integrate analysis from a variety of stakeholders and eventually rejected new natural gas initiatives because of their costs and logistical challenges. Yet […]
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Op-Ed: Puerto Rico’s new gov’t must focus on transforming energy sector
December 10, 2020
In recent years, we have witnessed how legislation seeks to transform the electricity sector in Puerto Rico. In 2014, the Energy Transformation and RELIEF Act was approved, which for the first time created an independent regulatory entity capable of overseeing and enforcing Puerto Rico’s energy policy. Five years later, in 2019, the Public Energy Policy […]
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FEMA grants $26.2M to PREPA to improve infrastructure
October 29, 2020
The Federal Emergency Management Agency, in coordination with the Puerto Rico Central Office for Recovery, Reconstruction and Resilience, or COR3, obligated more than $26.2 million in funds to the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA) under the Agency’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. These funds are for the engineering and design phase to install a new combined cycle […]
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FEMA assigns $238M+ to PREPA to replace earthquake-damaged generators
October 14, 2020
The Federal Emergency Management Agency recently obligated more than $238 million to the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA) for costs related to 28 peaking generator units that provide power to critical facilities until the Costa Sur units in Peñuelas are back in service. The units, which typically only run when there is high demand for […]
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PREPA spent $192M on unused lands, unfinished projects, Comptroller’s audit says
October 1, 2020
The Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority spent $192 million to buy land or to develop projects that were not built or completed, according to an audit by the Puerto Rico Office of the Comptroller. The report reveals that PREPA spent $62.2 million in the cancellation of the Gasoducto del Sur natural gas pipeline project, disbursed […]
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Op-Ed: Is PREPA bringing a baloney sandwich to a gourmet buffet?
September 3, 2020
During periods of major disruption, confusion and chaos often obscure reality, vision, cause and effect, and clarity of thought. With Hurricane María, bankruptcy, global warming, governmental disintegration, and the pandemic – just to name a few – it’s not surprising that Puerto Rico has also been suffering from encumbered decision-making from antiquated leadership. With the […]
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Puerto Rico’s water, power utilities to offer services via appointment
July 20, 2020
The Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority (PRASA) and the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA) announced separately over the weekend that they will begin offering expanded customer service alternatives, including scheduling appointments prior to visiting an office. PRASA Executive President Doriel Pagán-Crespo said that effective today, customers will be able to get virtual appointments […]
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Energy regulator orders New Fortress Energy to explain lack of approval for San Juan LNG facility
June 23, 2020
Federal regulators have asked the operator of a scandal-plagued Puerto Rico energy project to explain why they didn’t seek permission to build and operate a liquid natural gas terminal (LNG) adjacent to the island’s first major power project since a 2017 hurricane devastated the island’s electrical grid. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) last week […]
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PREPA contract procedure to buy natural gas ‘circumvented rules’
June 11, 2020
A lucrative contract to deliver natural gas to a Puerto Rico power generation plant was awarded through a process plagued by irregularities that provided unfair advantages to a company with limited experience on the island, according to a report co‑authored by Tom Sanzillo of the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) and Ingrid […]
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IEFFA pens letter to Vázquez: ‘Explore other options for SJ power plant conversion’
January 30, 2020
The Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) sent a letter to Gov. Wanda Vázquez, urging her to reconsider plans for converting Units 5 and 6 of the San Juan Power Plant from diesel to liquid natural gas (LNG)-based generation. Signed by IEEFA’s Director of Finance Tom Sanzillo, the letter was accompanied by documents […]
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CNE reviews ‘key events’ in the pipeline for P.R.’s energy policy
December 23, 2019
The Center for a New Economy recently hosted members of the media to provide context and information to journalists as they prepare to cover two key events for Puerto Rico’s energy policy. First, the Puerto Rico Energy Bureau will hold a public hearing in February to discuss Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority’s (PREPA) Integrated Resource […]
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Op-Ed: PREPA RSA hurts consumers, perpetuates debt crisis
December 20, 2019
A thorough and data-packed recent report on the potential impact of Puerto Rico’s PREPA debt restructuring plan proves what should be obvious: electricity prices that are already unaffordable will keep rising for the foreseeable future to pay for outstanding debt. The deal does not work for the people of Puerto Rico, will hurt economic recovery, and won’t […]
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