{"id":20804,"date":"2021-01-26T14:34:36","date_gmt":"2021-01-26T19:34:36","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.edf.org\/energyexchange\/?p=20804"},"modified":"2021-01-26T15:42:07","modified_gmt":"2021-01-26T20:42:07","slug":"biden-has-an-opportunity-to-accelerate-recovery-in-puerto-rico","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.edf.org\/energyexchange\/2021\/01\/26\/biden-has-an-opportunity-to-accelerate-recovery-in-puerto-rico\/","title":{"rendered":"Biden has an opportunity to accelerate recovery in Puerto Rico"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>By Agust\u00edn F. Carb\u00f3<\/a> and Daniel Whittle<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

En espa\u00f1ol<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

It\u2019s a new day for the United States and Puerto Rico. With a new president and a new governor, Puerto Rico can turn a new page, and continue rebuilding \u2014 even better than before. This couldn\u2019t come at a better time. President Biden\u2019s climate and clean energy strategy is the boldest, most far-reaching we\u2019ve ever seen from a U.S. President. Under this plan, Puerto Rico should receive federal support in reaching its own far-sighted clean energy goals. In doing so, the island can become a model of resilience and innovation for the nation and the Caribbean.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

During the campaign, Biden\u2019s Build it Back Better agenda included an unambiguous commitment to support Puerto Rico\u2019s full recovery, including the reconstruction and improvement of its energy infrastructure. Now, his administration has a unique opportunity \u2014 and a responsibility \u2014 to follow through on these promises. Communities have not waited for things to happen; since Hurricane Maria hit in 2017, many have taken matters into their own hands to develop small-scale solar energy projects that deliver clean and resilient power. Now the federal government, through the Department of Energy, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and others, should bolster efforts on the ground by providing financial support and technical assistance, and by removing barriers to progress \u2014 all while tackling the negative impacts of climate change.<\/p>\nBiden has an opportunity to accelerate recovery in Puerto Rico <\/a><\/span>Share on X<\/a><\/span>\n

To do this, Puerto Rico needs:<\/strong><\/p>\n

1. The Biden Administration to release billions of dollars appropriated following Hurricane Maria to modernize the electric grid and to provide solar and storage technology to residents throughout the Puerto Rico, particularly in low-income communities.<\/p>\n

2. A new federal stimulus package to pass that includes funding to support clean, resilient energy and jobs in Puerto Rico. Funding should be targeted toward:
\nBoosting energy efficiency and lowering utility bills for low- and middle-income families including proven, Puerto Rico-appropriate weatherization programs such as solar water heaters.<\/p>\n