Court upholds Puerto Rico’s exclusion from SSI — a NAPREC perspective
In Vaello Madero, the Supreme Court held that the Constitution did not require Congress to extend SSI to Puerto Rico residents. The ruling upheld the statutory distinction; it did not prevent Congress from choosing to expand the program. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Puerto Rico Status Act is introduced — a NAPREC perspective
H.R. 8393 brought a new proposal before the House to select and implement a permanent, nonterritorial political status. The bill’s introduction was a concrete legislative step, followed by committee review and a later House floor vote. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Committee advances the status bill — a NAPREC perspective
The House Natural Resources Committee voted 25–20 to report H.R. 8393 favorably, as amended. Committee approval moved the measure toward the full House; it was one stage of the legislative process, not final enactment. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
House passes H.R. 8393 by 233–191 — a NAPREC perspective
The House approved the Puerto Rico Status Act by 233 votes to 191. The roll call records a major milestone for a federal status process. A House vote alone does not make a bill law or admit a new state. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
EPA responds to Puerto Rico environmental-justice concerns — a NAPREC perspective
EPA announced initial actions following community visits, addressing pollution concerns and assistance for community-run drinking-water systems. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Guaynabo petroleum facility settlement announced — a NAPREC perspective
EPA announced a settlement requiring approximately $1.3 million in compliance measures at a Guaynabo petroleum-storage facility, plus a civil penalty. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
2022 BEACH Act support announced — a NAPREC perspective
EPA announced $330,000 for Puerto Rico’s beach-water monitoring and notification programs, supporting routine checks and information for beachgoers. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Aguadilla commercial project faces stormwater order — a NAPREC perspective
EPA ordered pollution controls and permit compliance at a 19-acre commercial construction site in Aguadilla to address stormwater discharges. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Stormwater permit proposed for 73 communities — a NAPREC perspective
EPA proposed a general permit for small municipal storm-sewer systems in Puerto Rico, aimed at reducing polluted runoff into local waters. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Coastal construction runoff draws federal order — a NAPREC perspective
EPA ordered developers to stop stormwater discharges from an Aguadilla hotel construction project into the Atlantic Ocean. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Ochoa Fertilizer added to Superfund priorities — a NAPREC perspective
EPA announced the Guánica site’s addition to the National Priorities List, following its 2021 proposal and advancing federal cleanup oversight. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Clean-school-bus rebates reach Puerto Rico — a NAPREC perspective
EPA announced nearly $10 million in rebates for Puerto Rico’s Department of Education to purchase more than 25 cleaner school buses. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Gas-station leak detection strengthened by settlement — a NAPREC perspective
EPA announced a settlement requiring improved tank monitoring and leak-detection measures across Puerto Rico gas stations, resolving alleged environmental violations. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Four brownfields grants announced for Puerto Rico — a NAPREC perspective
EPA announced four grants totaling approximately $1.6 million for Puerto Rico to assess and clean up contaminated properties for future reuse. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Wetland mapping receives federal funding — a NAPREC perspective
EPA awarded more than $200,000 to update Puerto Rico wetland inventory maps, supporting environmental planning with newer geographic information. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
IRS explains expanded Child Tax Credit access — a NAPREC perspective
The IRS issued guidance explaining how eligible Puerto Rico residents could claim the Child Tax Credit for tax year 2021. The announcement emphasized that families with one qualifying child could qualify under the American Rescue Plan changes. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Lawmakers release a consensus status discussion draft — a NAPREC perspective
House leaders and sponsors of competing status bills announced a Puerto Rico Status Act discussion draft and a public-input phase. It was a legislative proposal for a status decision, not a change to Puerto Rico’s political status. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Agencies report on a black-start preparedness exercise — a NAPREC perspective
DOE reported on a June tabletop exercise with Puerto Rico and federal partners to plan for a major outage. Participants examined restoration coordination, infrastructure vulnerabilities, and consistent public information during an energy emergency. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Federal grid-recovery team outlines coordination goals — a NAPREC perspective
In remarks in San Juan, Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm described the federal grid-modernization and recovery team’s coordination role after Hurricane Fiona. The remarks addressed delays in using previously authorized recovery funds. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Congress receives a five-year hurricane-recovery update — a NAPREC perspective
GAO testified that long-term reconstruction remained incomplete in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The review distinguished large federal awards from the smaller amounts spent on permanent infrastructure work. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.