Federal Funds Make Way for Puerto Rico’s Energy Transition with a Focus on Social and Environmental Justice

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The United States Secretary of Energy, Jennifer M. Granholm, yesterday visited Puerto Rico for the fifth time since Hurricane Fiona, and announced a round of up to $453.5 million in funding for increasing rooftop solar and battery systems for single family homes throughout the island. The initiative, part of the Puerto Rico Energy Resilience Fund, aims to solarize up to 40,000 homes, with a focus on very low-income residents. The funding includes consumer protection and education programs to support the use of solar systems over the long-term, and “solar ambassador” grants for community groups to help the Department identify and connect with qualified households. Puerto Rico is required to source 100% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2050.

“Secretary Granholm’s leadership and sense of urgency to ease the energy burden for Puerto Rican families is admirable. Today’s commitment will allow tens of thousands of homes in the island to become resilient in the face of extreme weather, and shows how Puerto Rico’s energy transition can be just and equitable. EDF stands ready to support the Secretary in this historic program.”

• Daniel Whittle, Senior Director, Caribbean

Environmental Defense Fund seeks to identify effective and equitable energy solutions that can bring clean, community-centered electricity to Puerto Rico and can meet the daily needs of its residents, while making the island more resilient to climate change. Our work centers on advancing a community-driven solar and storage project on the island municipality of Culebra and supporting a range of partners who are driving systemic change to the energy system across Puerto Rico. We approach this work holistically, leveraging our technical expertise, sustainable financing tools and energy reform experience to help develop long-term solutions to the territory’s energy crisis. For more information, visit www.edf.org/PuertoRico.