Washington, DC – On Wednesday, Rep. Ritchie Torres (NY-15) introduced a resolution calling on the federal government to expedite the rebuilding of Puerto Rico’s electrical grid. Hurricane Fiona devastated Puerto Rico on September 18, 2022, leaving the entire island without power, which is still not fully restored. Five years after the worst natural disaster to affect Puerto Rico made landfall, Puerto Ricans are still living with the consequences of unreliable energy and water service.

The resolution calls for President Biden and federal agencies to work together to expedite the rebuilding of Puerto Rico’s electrical grid and to support any effort to meet the energy policy metrics established by the Government of Puerto Rico.

“Rebuilding the electrical grid of Puerto Rico is one of the most urgent infrastructure needs in the United States,” the members write in the resolution. “The House of Representatives is committed to supporting the people of Puerto Rico and to assisting in restoring the islands to their full potential.”

“It is a national disgrace that in the wealthiest country in the world, 3 million Americans have no electricity in the worst of times and no affordable and reliable electricity in the best of times. It is long past time that the federal government makes every conceivable effort to repair Puerto Rico’s electrical grid. I am proud to be joined by my colleagues in the House to recognize the urgency behind this deeply consequential infrastructure need, ” said Rep. Ritchie Torres. 

Rep. Torres is joined by Reps. Gonzalez-Colon, Velazquez, Soto, San Nicolas, Wild, Larson, Grijalva, and Espaillat. 

Text of the resolution here. 

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