Historic New Law to Transform Puerto Rico into Clean Energy Powerhouse

(NEW YORK, NY – Apr. 11, 2019) Gov. Ricardo Rosselló today signed into law a landmark bill that creates a pathway for Puerto Rico to move to 100 percent clean energy by 2050. The new law, “Puerto Rico Energy Public Policy Act,” (SB 1121), will spur the development of clean distributed electricity sources that include solar power, low-carbon microgrids and energy storage, and remove the barriers for connecting these systems into the island’s electric grid. Importantly, the law also strengthens oversight authority of Puerto Rico’s Energy Bureau.

“Gov. Rosselló’s resolve for Puerto Rico to emerge as a clean energy powerhouse is exactly what the island needs to transform into a better version of itself. With this new law, Puerto Rico incentivizes the development and use of more affordable clean energy that will improve the quality of life and environment for all of its residents.

“This law makes clean energy a cornerstone of Puerto Rico’s reimagined energy economy. Swift implementation is a critical next step for the island to reap the full benefits. We stand ready to help Puerto Rico restore and reboot its electricity system to build a future that is economically and environmentally sustainable for all.”

• Fred Krupp, EDF President

Environmental Defense Fund is developing an innovative project to demonstrate the feasibility of low-carbon microgrids. These mini-energy service stations will fuel up on solar power and run backed by battery storage and intelligent software. Linked to the larger grid — ensuring the delivery of affordable, clean and reliable energy every day — these systems will be designed to also separate from the grid during emergencies, like Hurricane Maria, to keep the lights on in remote parts of the island. For more information, visit www.edf.org/PuertoRico.