Puerto Rico’s aging index rises 41 percent in five years — a NAPREC perspective
The Puerto Rico Institute of Statistics reported that the island’s aging index rose 41 percent from 2020 to 2025, from 168 to 237 residents aged 65 or older for every 100 residents under 15. The increase appeared in all 78 municipalities. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Competing visions shape Puerto Rico’s energy future — a NAPREC perspective
A News is my Business series reports that Puerto Rico’s energy transition has become a contest among community solar, utility-scale renewables, natural gas expansion and proposals for nuclear power. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Economic index rises in July, but the recession warning remains — a NAPREC perspective
Puerto Rico’s Coincident Indicators Index rose 0.5% in July to a preliminary 110.5 points, its second monthly gain, led by manufacturing, but its average for the first seven months of 2026 remained 0.5% below last year. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Solar and microgrids reshape Puerto Rico’s energy mix — a NAPREC perspective
Rooftop solar, batteries and community microgrids are keeping homes and businesses running during outages across Puerto Rico, even as proposals for natural gas and nuclear power emerge, a News is my Business series reports. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Bill proposes fines of up to $2,500 for blocking traffic — a NAPREC perspective
Senate Bill 1445 would impose a $1,000 fine and six points on a driver’s record for intentionally using a vehicle to block traffic, rising to $2,500 when the obstruction delays an emergency vehicle. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Solar power emerges as social infrastructure — a NAPREC perspective
A News is my Business series reports on how community solar is being treated as social infrastructure in Puerto Rico, keeping essential services and medical equipment running during outages. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
GSA plans $40–50 million seismic retrofit of San Juan federal courthouse — a NAPREC perspective
The General Services Administration posted a presolicitation notice for a $40 million to $50 million seismic retrofit of the Clemente Ruiz Nazario U.S. Courthouse in Hato Rey, with an award expected in August 2027 and about 46 months of construction after the notice to proceed. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Bill seeks more time to finish Puerto Rico’s recovery — a NAPREC perspective
Resident Commissioner Pablo José Hernández and Representatives Bennie Thompson and Nellie Pou announced H.R. 10441, which would extend the deadline for eligible FEMA recovery projects in Puerto Rico to December 31, 2035, with annual progress reports. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Puerto Rico’s energy crisis extends beyond the grid — a NAPREC perspective
A News is my Business series examines how the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority’s debt, bankruptcy and federal fiscal oversight turned energy decisions into financial negotiations. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Planning Board lowers growth forecasts for 2026 and 2027 — a NAPREC perspective
The Puerto Rico Planning Board cut its real growth forecast to 0.3% for fiscal 2026 and 0.2% for fiscal 2027, citing declining federal disbursements, tariffs, inflation and other pressures. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Grid failures expose decades of energy problems — a NAPREC perspective
A former PREPA engineer and board member traces Puerto Rico’s grid instability to stalled investment and political turnover long before Hurricane María, a News is my Business series reports. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Real estate groups split over House Bill 1331 — a NAPREC perspective
House Bill 1331 would repeal Act 10-1994 and set a new legal framework for Puerto Rico’s real estate industry. Trade groups endorsed it at a House hearing, while the regulatory board for brokers and salespeople opposed it. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Puerto Rico has nearly 2.65 million registered vehicles — a NAPREC perspective
Puerto Rico had 2,649,792 vehicles with active registration tags as of June 30, according to Department of Transportation and Public Works data published by the Puerto Rico Institute of Statistics. Automobiles made up about 79.5%. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
50 companies account for 20% of retail sales — a NAPREC perspective
A University of Puerto Rico Center for Development Studies analysis found that retail became somewhat more concentrated between 2017 and 2022, with the 50 largest of 10,004 retailers accounting for 20% of sales, though the sector remained competitive. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
House water bill includes 11 Puerto Rico measures — a NAPREC perspective
The House approved the Water Resources Development Act of 2026, H.R. 9497, with 11 measures sought by Resident Commissioner Pablo José Hernández, including raising the federal authorization for Puerto Rico drinking water and sewer projects from $35 million to $75 million. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Hurricane María reshaped Puerto Rico’s energy debate — a NAPREC perspective
A News is my Business series looks back at how Hurricane María’s blackout, at its peak the longest in U.S. history at 3.4 billion hours, exposed the weaknesses of Puerto Rico’s centralized grid. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Chapter 7 bankruptcy filings up 77% since 2023 — a NAPREC perspective
A Boletín de Puerto Rico study found that Chapter 7 bankruptcy filings rose 77%, from 869 to 1,538, between the first eight months of 2023 and the same period of 2026, while total filings rose 49.7%. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Medicaid fix for Puerto Rico still not found — a NAPREC perspective
House Energy and Commerce Chairman Brett Guthrie said Republicans have not yet found a way to reauthorize Puerto Rico’s Medicaid funding. Without action, annual federal funding would fall from about $4.2 billion to about $500 million on October 1, 2027. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Contractors urge faster use of $42 billion in federal rebuilding funds — a NAPREC perspective
AGC Puerto Rico said more than $42 billion in federal funds allocated after the 2017 hurricanes and the 2020 earthquakes should be deployed faster, and urged the government to activate the Infrastructure and Construction Council created by the governor in 2025. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Roosevelt Roads clears site for a marine business center — a NAPREC perspective
Demolition began at the former Coast Guard pier at Roosevelt Roads in Ceiba to make way for the Marine Business, Research & Innovation Center, with the Department of Economic Development and Commerce investing more than $100,000 in the work. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.