For Immediate Release: December 20, 2024
Contact: media@hispanicfederation.org
Department of Energy $365M Investment in Solar Power in Puerto Rico Marks Critical Step in Puerto Rico Energy Resilience
Washington D.C. – This week, the Department of Energy announced a new investment from the Puerto Rico Energy Resilience Fund of up to $365 million in solar energy production and storage systems to support energy resilience for Puerto Rico’s community healthcare facilities and housing complexes. This action by the Department of Energy marks a substantial step toward achieving that goal and is a testament to the work of residents, advocates, and lawmakers to support Puerto Rico’s future. Below is a statement from Frankie Miranda, President and CEO of Hispanic Federation regarding the announcement:
“Hurricanes Irma and Maria devastated the Archipelago resulting in the longest blackout in US history and the loss of thousands of lives. In the wake of the devastation, community groups, advocates, and officials in Puerto Rico as well as in the U.S. recognized the need to invest in independent, renewable energy resilience for Puerto Rico. Hispanic Federation has been at the forefront in supporting these efforts by providing funding, expertise and advocacy to fortify Puerto Rico’s power against future disasters and save lives.
Thanks to this new DOE investment, people in Puerto Rico’s most vulnerable communities will have greater access to reliable and resilient solar energy for critical medical services and to attend to their basic daily needs as the Archipelago secures its clean energy future. The Puerto Rico Energy Resilience Fund and this latest investment would not have been possible without the fierce, sustained commitment to Puerto Rico’s energy resiliency by the Biden Administration and officials like Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Rep. Nydia Velázquez, Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva, and countless others who have worked to support modern, renewable energy infrastructure. President Biden has seen the importance of energy resilience in Puerto Rico and, with the support of Secretary Jennifer M. Granholm, has demonstrated strong leadership in advancing energy resilience and Puerto Rico’s renewable energy goals. Hispanic Federation looks forward to celebrating the results of these investments for generations to come and supporting efforts to expand renewable energy in Puerto Rico.
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Hispanic Federation (HF) is a nonprofit membership and advocacy organization, founded in 1990, committed to empowering and advancing the Hispanic community, with a focus on low-income, marginalized, and immigrant Latinos. With programs in 40 states, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia, HF’s focus areas include immigration, economic empowerment, civic engagement, disaster relief, philanthropy, education, health, and the environment. HF also maintains ongoing public education campaigns and meets the organizational development needs of its member agencies through grant-making and capacity-building assistance.
