Puerto Rico Energy Generation Crisis Task Force Act
The Puerto Rico Energy Generation Crisis Task Force Act would create a high-level federal-state task force housed in the Executive Office of the President. Its purpose is to improve collaboration among the Department of Energy, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Army Corps of Engineers, and Puerto Rico’s energy authorities to address emergencies and ongoing challenges related to Puerto Rico’s energy generation. The task force would identify problems, coordinate solutions among the listed entities and other relevant groups (including Puerto Rico’s Grid Recovery and Modernization Team), and report progress to Congress and the President on a semi-annual basis. The bill emphasizes frequent meetings (at least every 30 days) and a flexible meeting format to avoid delays.
Key Points
- 1Establishes a federal–territorial task force in the Executive Office of the President to tackle Puerto Rico’s energy generation emergencies and challenges, coordinating among DOE, FEMA, the Army Corps of Engineers, and Puerto Rico energy authorities.
- 2Membership includes: 1 appointee from the Secretary of Energy, 1 from the DHS/FEMA Administrator, 1 from the Army Corps Chief of Engineers, 1 from Puerto Rico’s Office of the Energy Czar, and 3 Puerto Rico government appointees representing the Puerto Rico Energy Bureau, LUMA Energy, and Genera PR.
- 3Duties focus on identifying energy generation problems and coordinating efforts to improve efficiency and solutions, including liaison with other relevant groups like the Puerto Rico Grid Recovery and Modernization Team.
- 4Requires at least monthly meetings (with flexible formats such as virtual/hybrid options) and designation of a head to organize meetings and ensure timely proceedings.
- 5Requires semi-annual reporting to Congress and the President, including problem descriptions, recommended solutions, timelines for implementation, and the entities responsible for implementation, with the first report due within 90 days after enactment and every 180 days thereafter.