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In an upcoming trip to Washington, D.C., Rep. José Aponte Hernández will be supporting Gov. Jenniffer González Colón’s initiative to request that U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright assist Puerto Rico in the reconstruction and modernization of its electrical system.
“The rehabilitation and modernization of the electrical grid in Puerto Rico is the largest project of its kind in the history of the nation,” Aponte said over the weekend. “That is why we need the direct help of the federal Department of Energy for many aspects such as reducing bureaucracy in permitting at the federal level, as well as the disbursement of funds associated with reconstruction. Meanwhile, it is imperative that Secretary Wright get involved in this effort directly and consistently.”
“Puerto Rico cannot reach its economic potential until it has a modern energy system, and to do so we need the assistance of the federal government,” added the former speaker of the island House of Representatives and current chairman of the House Federal and Veterans Affairs Committee. “The governor’s efforts have our support and it is a point that we will bring up in our meetings with congressmen and other federal officials next week.”
“The Department of Energy and the EPA can directly assist with the permitting process for the construction of the Bayamón generation plant, which is designed to add 480 megawatts to the system and must be operational by the summer of 2028,” Aponte said. “This plant, which will use liquefied gas and will also have the capacity to use hydrogen, is necessary, and the efforts made by the governor to expedite its construction will have our active support in the federal capital.”
González Colón requested assistance from the Department of Energy, as well as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, to expedite permits in various areas of the reconstruction of the island’s electrical infrastructure, including the construction of a new generation plant. The request was made during the winter meeting of the National Governors Association held in Washington this past meeting.
