Status legislation returns in a new Congress — a NAPREC perspective
H.R. 2757 reintroduced the Puerto Rico Status Act in the 118th Congress. A new bill was necessary to continue the legislative effort after the previous Congress, underscoring the difference between momentum in one chamber and a completed federal law. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Puerto Rico advisory committee opens public testimony — a NAPREC perspective
The Puerto Rico Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights held an in-person briefing on the Insular Cases and territorial doctrine. Testimony from community members and experts helped establish the record for its multiyear civil-rights study. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Economic perspectives enter the Insular Cases study — a NAPREC perspective
A virtual advisory committee panel examined economic questions and the Uniformity Clause. This session continued the May briefing and supplied testimony for a later memorandum on the relationship between territorial doctrine, federal policy and Puerto Rico’s economy. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Senators introduce a companion status proposal — a NAPREC perspective
Senators Martin Heinrich, Catherine Cortez Masto and Alex Padilla introduced the Puerto Rico Status Act. It proposed a federally sponsored vote among statehood, independence and sovereignty in free association. Introduction began consideration without changing Puerto Rico’s status. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Beach monitoring receives a 2023 allocation — a NAPREC perspective
EPA announced $344,000 for Puerto Rico beach monitoring and public notifications, contingent on satisfying the program’s eligibility requirements. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Environmental assessments funded in four municipalities — a NAPREC perspective
EPA selected a $500,000 brownfields assessment grant targeting properties in Río Piedras, Carolina and the Juncos–Humacao corridor. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Climate-health research includes Puerto Rico — a NAPREC perspective
EPA’s research funding announcement included Puerto Rico work on drought and rural communities operating their own drinking-water systems. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Regional clean-water funding includes Puerto Rico — a NAPREC perspective
EPA announced a regional Clean Water State Revolving Fund allocation supporting wastewater and stormwater upgrades, including Puerto Rico. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Drinking-water infrastructure receives a $62 million announcement — a NAPREC perspective
EPA announced approximately $62.3 million for Puerto Rico drinking-water infrastructure through its revolving-fund program and federal infrastructure funding. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Puerto Rico receives climate-planning support — a NAPREC perspective
EPA and Puerto Rico announced $3 million to plan emissions-reduction strategies. Planning funding preceded a separate competition for implementing projects. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
EPA orders wetlands restoration in Rincón — a NAPREC perspective
EPA announced enforcement over unpermitted wetland fill and ordered its removal, with natural regeneration using native vegetation. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Peñuelas fuel-terminal settlement announced — a NAPREC perspective
EPA announced a settlement addressing alleged air-law violations, requiring tank inspections and emissions monitoring at a Peñuelas petroleum facility. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
San Germán groundwater cleanup agreement approved — a NAPREC perspective
EPA reported court approval of a settlement to design and perform an estimated $7.7 million groundwater cleanup near Retiro Industrial Park. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Emerging-contaminant funding announced — a NAPREC perspective
EPA announced more than $18.9 million for Puerto Rico to address emerging drinking-water contaminants in small or disadvantaged communities. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
First residential solar funding selectees announced — a NAPREC perspective
DOE announced organizations selected to negotiate awards for residential solar panels and battery storage. The program prioritized low-income households facing prolonged outages or living with an energy-dependent disability. Selection did not mean installations were already complete. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Territorial debt update examines growth and repayment risks — a NAPREC perspective
GAO reviewed public debt across the territories after Puerto Rico’s major restructuring. The report highlighted energy and import costs, population loss, and extreme weather as obstacles to growth and debt repayment. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Pandemic-relief review identifies lessons from the territories — a NAPREC perspective
GAO examined territorial experiences with federal COVID-19 relief. Officials described technical assistance, flexible spending rules, and upfront funding as important to making programs usable for local needs. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
BEA publishes its initial estimate of the 2021 rebound — a NAPREC perspective
BEA initially estimated that Puerto Rico’s real GDP grew 4.0% in 2021, led by consumer spending. This entry records the estimate released in July 2023; later releases revised historical figures. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
New population estimates show a slower decline — a NAPREC perspective
The Census Bureau’s 2023 estimates placed Puerto Rico’s population at about 3.206 million. The release reported a slower decline and positive net migration, while deaths continued to exceed births. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Recovery allocations pass a $30 billion milestone — a NAPREC perspective
Puerto Rico’s fiscal agency highlighted FEMA allocations totaling $30 billion for more than 10,600 recovery projects. These figures described awarded funding across infrastructure and essential services, rather than completed construction. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.