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.
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.
Congressional letter seeks transparency about tax-incentive audits — a NAPREC perspective
Lawmakers asked the IRS to respond promptly to requests for information about audits involving Puerto Rico tax-incentive beneficiaries. The letter raised compliance concerns; those concerns were lawmakers’ allegations rather than findings against every beneficiary. 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.
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.
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.
Lawmakers seek housing-data parity for Puerto Rico — a NAPREC perspective
Representative Nydia Velázquez led a congressional letter urging HUD to include Puerto Rico in the American Housing Survey. The lawmakers argued that incomplete housing data hindered responses to affordability and displacement concerns. 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.
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.
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.
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.
Population release documents Puerto Rico’s aging trend — a NAPREC perspective
Census estimates showed Puerto Rico’s median age rising from 44.3 to 44.8 between 2021 and 2022. The data also showed increases across nearly all municipios, informing discussions about care, workforce, and community needs. 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.
Census launches experimental resilience estimates for Puerto Rico — a NAPREC perspective
The Census Bureau released a new statistical tool to assess community vulnerability in Puerto Rico. The estimates offered local detail to support disaster preparation, response, and resource planning. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Supreme Court rules on PROMESA and sovereign immunity — a NAPREC perspective
The Supreme Court held that PROMESA did not categorically remove the oversight board’s sovereign immunity. The Court assumed immunity for its analysis without deciding that separate question, in litigation over access to public documents. 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.
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.
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.
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.