Yesterday, Congressman Ritchie Torres (NY-15) introduced the Emergency Electric Grid Stabilization Act into the U.S. House of Representatives. 

On September 20, 2024, it will be 7 years since Hurricane Maria made landfall in Puerto Rico. This powerful hurricane destroyed Puerto Rico’s electric grid, and to this day, it has not yet recovered. Rep. Torres has repeatedly called on the federal government and private electric operation companies in Puerto Rico to look for ways to expedite the reconstruction of the electric grid and build a more resilient system.

This legislation would provide the US Army Corps of Engineers the authority that they currently do not have to provide assistance in cases like in Puerto Rico where the electric grid does not generate enough electricity and there are constant power outages. 

This legislation would direct the Secretary of the Army, acting through the Chief of Engineers, to, upon request, provide temporary assistance to States to help stabilize the electric grid, and for other purposes. Not later than 10 days after receiving a request from an affected State/Territory for assistance in stabilizing the electric grid, the Secretary may provide assistance to stabilize the electric grid, including by providing technical assistance, temporary electricity generation, equipment, or any relevant assistance. The assistance shall be provided until the Secretary, in coordination with the State/Territory, determines that the electric grid is stabilized. A report has to be submitted to House and Senate committees with information on electricity generation levels, progress in stabilizing the electric grid, additional appropriations needed, timeline to complete work. It would additionally authorize appropriations of $1 billion.

On the legislation, Rep. Torres released the following statement:

“The Army Corps of Engineers has built 16 generators in Palo Seco and San Juan. And those generators collectively produce 350 megawatts of power on the island, providing power to 100,000 homes. It is imperative that we establish a permanent system to build emergency generators for states and territories whose power grids are in a state of crisis. The intent of this legislation gives the Army Corps of Engineers authority that it lacks. FEMA originally promised 600 to 700 megawatts of power generation but only delivered half that.

“Preventing hundreds of thousands of people from losing electricity outweighs the cost. The United States is the richest nation on the planet. We have the tools to generate the energy that Puerto Rico desperately needs. What is lacking is the political will, and I am intent on changing that.”

Read the full bill text here.