The Department of Energy (DOE) has announced the extension of emergency orders aimed at improving Puerto Rico’s electric grid. The orders, first issued in May, have allowed Puerto Rico’s government to implement repairs and upgrades intended to address ongoing reliability issues. This extension is set to continue through the summer, a period when electricity demand typically peaks.
“A reliable and secure power grid is essential for modern life, and the residents of Puerto Rico deserve solutions now. Thanks to President Trump’s leadership, we are able to take action, moving from years of instability toward measurable, lasting progress,” said U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright. “By extending these orders, DOE is ensuring critical work continues, urgent energy reliability needs are addressed, and the grid is more prepared to withstand the most demanding stretch of hurricane season for the 3.2 million Americans who call Puerto Rico home.”
Puerto Rico Governor Jenniffer González-Colón also expressed support for the move: “I thank Secretary Wright and strongly support the Department of Energy’s extension of the 202(c) emergency orders for Puerto Rico, which have provided needed flexibilities to maintain sufficient power generation capacity and conduct vegetation control activities along critical transmission lines. The Trump Administration’s close collaboration and commitment to stabilize and rebuild our power grid has been unprecedented and is already yielding results,” she said. “I look forward to building on this momentum and continue partnering with President Trump and Secretary Wright as we strengthen Puerto Rico’s electrical system and ensure an affordable, reliable, and secure supply of energy for the island’s 3.2 million Americans.”
Puerto Rico’s electric grid has suffered from years of deferred maintenance, limited investment, bankruptcy proceedings involving its system owner, as well as damage from hurricanes and earthquakes. Recovery efforts are expected to take several years.
With hurricane season entering its most active phase, DOE is extending two previous section 202(c) orders under the Federal Power Act. One order allows the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA) to keep using certain generation units necessary for maintaining reliability. The other permits continued vegetation management along key transmission corridors—an effort designed to prevent outages caused by overgrown foliage. These extensions will be in effect from August 15 through November 12.
DOE officials say that continued cooperation with local authorities will be crucial as they work toward a more stable energy future for Puerto Rico.
On May 16 this year, DOE initially authorized PREPA under section 202(c) powers both to operate specified generation units during emergencies for a period of 90 days and perform vegetation control on transmission lines in order to minimize faults caused by plant growth.
