Agreement with Biden Administration Revs Up Puerto Rico's Clean Energy Future

Statement from Agustín F. Carbó, Senior Manager, Energy Transition, Environmental Defense Fund

February 2, 2022
Debora Schneider, (212) 616-1377, dschneider@edf.org

(SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO) The Government of Puerto Rico and three federal agencies — the Departments of Energy, Homeland Security and Housing and Urban Development — signed a Memorandum of Understanding to align federal funds with local policies established by the territory so it can source 100 percent of its electricity from renewable sources by 2050. The agreement includes a community-driven study to make Puerto Rico’s electric grid more resilient, investment in microgrids and other renewable energy resources for residential use and collaboration on a public engagement plan to address concerns regarding energy project proposals.

“This Memorandum of Understanding is the springboard to a more sustainable and equitable Puerto Rico. It will make a real difference in building resilient communities across the island by providing a framework that supports the production of clean, affordable and reliable energy and a long-term solution to Puerto Rico’s energy crisis.”

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 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.

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One of the world’s leading international nonprofit organizations, Environmental Defense Fund (edf.org) creates transformational solutions to the most serious environmental problems. To do so, EDF links science, economics, law, and innovative private-sector partnerships. With more than 2.5 million members and offices in the United States, China, Mexico, Indonesia and the European Union, EDF’s scientists, economists, attorneys and policy experts are working in 28 countries to turn our solutions into action. Connect with us on Twitter @EnvDefenseFund