Velázquez and Schumer Applaud DOE’s $365 Million Investment in Renewable Energy in Puerto Rico

WASHINGTON - Today, Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) and Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) applauded the Department of Energy's (DOE) announcement that the agency will invest up to $365 million to install solar and battery storage systems at community healthcare facilities and public or privately owned, federally subsidized multi-family housing properties.

"For too long, vulnerable families in Puerto Rico have suffered under the combined weight of some of the highest energy rates in the nation coupled with an extremely unreliable electrical grid," said Congresswoman Velázquez. "Today's $365 million investment in renewables on the island will help bring cleaner, less expensive, and more reliable energy to the communities that need it most. This investment will not only bolster renewable energy on the island but improve access to healthcare and create new jobs. I thank President Biden and DOE Secretary Jennifer Granholm for their work to make this investment possible and continued commitment to creating a brighter future for Puerto Rico.

"When the hurricanes hammered Puerto Rico and left millions without power for weeks and more, we pledged to rebuild a more efficient, cheaper and much cleaner power system for our fellow Americans on the island. These $365 million in federal funding to deploy renewable, clean energy via state-of-the-art solar and battery storage systems are a giant step in the right direction," said Senator Schumer. "I am proud to work with Rep. Nydia Velázquez to deliver $365 million for Puerto Rico's energy infrastructure. These funds from the $1 billion Puerto Rico Energy Resilience Fund that I was proud to support in the Senate will provide multi-family housing and healthcare facilities with resilient solar and battery storage at a time where blackouts continue to impact communities. I will continue to champion investments in Puerto Rico's energy infrastructure so that Puerto Ricans can have a resilient, clean, and efficient power grid."

The $365 million investment is part of DOE's new Programa de Comunidades Resilientes, funded by the Puerto Rico Energy Resilience Fund (PR-ERF). The program will provide up to $190 million for installing solar panels and battery systems in common areas of public housing and privately owned, federally subsidized multi-family housing. Additionally, up to $175 million will be allocated for solar and battery storage systems at federally qualified healthcare facilities, including dialysis centers and diagnostic and treatment centers, in underserved and vulnerable communities.

Teams chosen for award negotiations under the Programa de Comunidades Resilientes already have a strong presence in Puerto Rico and will work with local stakeholders to implement projects.

The announcement marks the latest tranche of funding from the PR-ERF, established under the FY2024 government funding omnibus bill. The fund, which was first proposed by Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva (D-AZ), will provide over $1 billion to increase energy resilience on the island.

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