New governor takes office after a major blackout — a NAPREC perspective
Jenniffer González Colón took office as Puerto Rico’s governor amid public frustration over electricity service. Her administration began with immediate infrastructure demands alongside its statehood agenda, linking the political debate to the reliability of essential services. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Voting rights become the focus of a third memorandum — a NAPREC perspective
The Puerto Rico advisory committee published findings from its study of federal voting rights. It examined territorial limits on representation, testimony about citizenship and self-determination, and preliminary recommendations for addressing Puerto Rico’s position in federal decision-making. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
GAO updates the territories’ debt outlook — a NAPREC perspective
GAO’s biennial review used the latest available audited statements to examine territorial debt. For Puerto Rico, it highlighted continuing electric-utility restructuring and pension pressures. The report also warned that delayed financial reporting can weaken public financial decisions. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Congress receives testimony on fiscal progress and risks — a NAPREC perspective
GAO told a House subcommittee that Puerto Rico’s fiscal conditions had improved while significant risks remained. Its testimony examined debt-crisis causes, changes since PROMESA and continuing economic vulnerabilities, providing oversight evidence rather than a prediction of statehood’s fiscal outcome. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
2025 beach-monitoring funding announced — a NAPREC perspective
EPA identified Puerto Rico as eligible for $321,000 to monitor beach water and notify the public about unsafe conditions. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Three brownfield recipients selected in 2025 — a NAPREC perspective
EPA selected three Puerto Rico recipients for $1.5 million to assess, clean up and support reuse of contaminated land. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
EPA completes regional Superfund reviews — a NAPREC perspective
EPA reported completion of five-year cleanup reviews at 32 sites across Puerto Rico, New York and New Jersey during 2025. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
EPA addresses construction runoff in Rincón — a NAPREC perspective
EPA ordered compliance measures at a Puntas residential development after reporting sediment discharges, including stormwater controls and permitting requirements. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
EPA reports stopping an Aibonito wastewater discharge — a NAPREC perspective
EPA reported that an inspection and Clean Water Act order led a slaughterhouse to correct an immediate discharge affecting Aguas Creek. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Palo Seco air-compliance settlement announced — a NAPREC perspective
EPA announced that PREPA and Genera agreed to reporting and testing requirements for Palo Seco turbines and a combined $145,000 penalty. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Federal energy investments receive a year-end accounting — a NAPREC perspective
DOE published an account of federal support for Puerto Rico’s grid recovery and modernization. The fact sheet describes investments and program commitments; it is not a finding that all funded construction was complete. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
DOE issues emergency orders after the April blackout — a NAPREC perspective
The Energy Department invoked Federal Power Act emergency authority to address generation and grid-security problems following an island-wide blackout. The announcement marked a federal intervention in Puerto Rico’s continuing reliability crisis. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Emergency electricity orders receive an extension — a NAPREC perspective
DOE extended the emergency orders first issued in May, allowing reliability work to continue through peak summer demand. The extension illustrates the continuing use of temporary federal measures while structural problems remained. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
DOE proposes redirecting $365 million in resilience funds — a NAPREC perspective
DOE announced its intent to redirect $365 million from the Puerto Rico Energy Resilience Fund toward grid fixes and emergency activities. This entry records the announced funding shift, rather than treating the proposed work as completed. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
GAO calls for stronger oversight of federal tax exemptions — a NAPREC perspective
A publicly released GAO report identified weaknesses in IRS oversight of taxpayers claiming Puerto Rico-related federal exemptions. It also cautioned that the incentives’ overall economic impact on Puerto Rico was difficult to isolate. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Final BEA Puerto Rico GDP release reports 2023 growth — a NAPREC perspective
BEA estimated 3.0% real GDP growth for Puerto Rico in 2023 and revised earlier years. The agency announced that it would stop producing Puerto Rico GDP statistics after this release, raising the importance of continuity in economic data. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Island-wide blackout disrupts electricity and water service — a NAPREC perspective
An island-wide blackout left Puerto Rico’s 1.4 million electricity customers without power, according to officials quoted by AP. Water service was also disrupted, renewing scrutiny of grid reliability. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Governor’s address outlines grid and public-service priorities — a NAPREC perspective
Governor Jenniffer González pledged grid improvements and outlined health, education, and public-safety spending priorities in her address. AP reported the next day that the budget discussed had not yet been approved. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
House nutrition-equity bill returns in the 119th Congress — a NAPREC perspective
H.R. 5168 was introduced to transition Puerto Rico from its nutrition assistance block grant to SNAP. The proposal was referred to the House Agriculture Committee; it did not itself enroll Puerto Rico in SNAP. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
CMS finalizes Puerto Rico adjustments for 2026 Medicare Advantage rates — a NAPREC perspective
CMS finalized Puerto Rico-specific elements of the 2026 Medicare Advantage payment methodology. The announcement addressed cost data and zero-claim adjustments, illustrating how federal payment formulas affect the island’s health system. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.