First advisory memorandum connects status and daily life — a NAPREC perspective
The Puerto Rico advisory committee announced its first Insular Cases memorandum, originally written in Spanish and translated into English. It summarized testimony about territorial treatment, citizenship and access to public programs, beginning a series that would lead to a final report. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Recovery review finds a gap between awards and spending — a NAPREC perspective
GAO reported that Puerto Rico had spent about $1.8 billion of $23.4 billion awarded for permanent disaster recovery as of June 2023. Rising project costs and remaining approvals showed why awarded funding should not be confused with completed infrastructure. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Presidential primary highlights a voting distinction — a NAPREC perspective
Joe Biden won Puerto Rico’s Democratic presidential primary. Residents can participate in presidential nomination contests, while residents voting from Puerto Rico do not cast electoral votes in the presidential general election. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
González wins the governing party’s primary — a NAPREC perspective
Jenniffer González defeated incumbent Governor Pedro Pierluisi in the New Progressive Party primary. The result changed the party’s nominee for November while leaving both contenders within the same pro-statehood political movement. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Voters face three nonterritorial status choices — a NAPREC perspective
Puerto Rico’s nonbinding status ballot offered statehood, independence and independence with free association. The vote took place alongside a closely watched general election. The linked pre-election report explains the choices and context, rather than certified final totals. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Second memorandum examines economic effects — a NAPREC perspective
The advisory committee published the second part of its general overview of the Insular Cases. Drawing on its September 2023 briefing, it documented economic perspectives and preliminary recommendations while preparing further work on voting rights, discrimination and public programs. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Court ruling complicates election certification — a NAPREC perspective
Associated Press reported that a ruling on early voting could further delay certification of Puerto Rico’s election. The dispute illustrates why election-night reporting and official certification are separate stages, particularly when ballot eligibility is contested. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
EPA announces $63.3 million for water infrastructure — a NAPREC perspective
EPA announced funding for drinking-water and wastewater upgrades through revolving funds. The announcement concerned available financing, not completed construction. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Cleanup funding announced for Scorpio Recycling — a NAPREC perspective
EPA included the Toa Baja Superfund site in a national cleanup funding round, connecting federal infrastructure investment with contaminated-land remediation. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
$28.6 million announced for lead service lines — a NAPREC perspective
EPA announced funding to identify and replace lead service lines in Puerto Rico through the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Five Puerto Rico brownfield projects selected — a NAPREC perspective
EPA selected five recipients for more than $3.4 million to assess and clean up brownfields, supporting reuse of polluted or abandoned properties. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Beach monitoring receives federal support — a NAPREC perspective
EPA announced $319,000 for beach water-quality monitoring and public notifications in Puerto Rico, supporting information residents and visitors use before swimming. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Lead-pipe rule accompanied by Puerto Rico funding — a NAPREC perspective
EPA announced lead-pipe replacement requirements and nearly $25 million in newly available Puerto Rico infrastructure funding. This entry records the 2024 announcement. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Air-quality proposal opens for public comment — a NAPREC perspective
EPA proposed findings concerning sulfur dioxide in San Juan and Guayama–Salinas and sought public input on elements of Puerto Rico’s emissions-reduction plan. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Ports Authority receives clean-air planning award — a NAPREC perspective
EPA announced a $1.8 million award to the Puerto Rico Ports Authority for climate resilience and air-quality improvements in port operations. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
PR100 results outline a renewable-energy transition — a NAPREC perspective
Federal officials presented the PR100 study results in San Juan. The study examined pathways to meeting Puerto Rico’s electricity needs with renewable energy by 2050, alongside the urgent work needed to stabilize the grid. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Conditional financing proposed for solar and storage — a NAPREC perspective
DOE announced a conditional loan-guarantee commitment of up to $584.5 million for Convergent subsidiaries’ solar and storage projects in Puerto Rico. A conditional commitment precedes final financing and does not establish that facilities are operating. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Federal program reports its first home solar installations — a NAPREC perspective
NETL reported the first installations under Puerto Rico’s federal residential solar and battery program. The update distinguished systems already installed from a larger program intended to serve low-income households and residents dependent on electrical medical equipment. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Solar-access application launch announced for February 22 — a NAPREC perspective
DOE’s February newsletter announced a February 22 application launch for Programa Acceso Solar. The initiative aimed to connect eligible low-income households with rooftop solar and batteries at no upfront cost; this is a historical announcement, not a current application notice. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Resilient Communities funding opportunity opens — a NAPREC perspective
DOE opened a funding opportunity for energy resilience in subsidized multifamily housing and community health facilities. Its goals connected reliable electricity with housing security and access to care for vulnerable residents. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.