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.
Agricultural recovery assistance announced after Ernesto — a NAPREC perspective
USDA announced assistance options for Puerto Rico producers affected by Ernesto. Farmers were directed to report losses and review programs covering crops, livestock, land, and damaged infrastructure. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
BEA’s 2022 GDP release records an economic contraction — a NAPREC perspective
BEA’s July 2024 release estimated a 2.5% decline in Puerto Rico’s real GDP in 2022. The figure is the estimate published at that time; subsequent annual releases revised the historical series. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Solar and battery projects receive conditional loan support — a NAPREC perspective
DOE announced a conditional commitment of up to $861.3 million for Clean Flexible Energy projects in Guayama and Salinas. The proposed financing covered solar farms and battery storage; the announcement was not a declaration of completed construction. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Agriculture Census reports fewer farms and higher production value — a NAPREC perspective
USDA released Puerto Rico’s 2022 Agriculture Census, reporting 7,602 farms and $703 million in agricultural production value. The data provided a new benchmark for discussing the island’s agricultural economy and food system. 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.
Territorial data gaps reach a congressional hearing — a NAPREC perspective
GAO testified about missing territorial coverage in federal statistics and the consequences for allocating resources. It reiterated the need for a coordinated government-wide response rather than disconnected agency efforts. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
NTIA approves Puerto Rico’s initial broadband proposal — a NAPREC perspective
NTIA approved Puerto Rico’s initial BEAD proposal, enabling the next funding and implementation steps. The approval advanced a broadband-planning process; it did not mean every household had already received service. 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.
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.
$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.
GAO recommends a federal plan to close territorial data gaps — a NAPREC perspective
A GAO report found that many federal statistical products excluded at least one territory. It recommended an OMB-led approach to address cost, geographic, and technical barriers to more complete data. 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.