Outgoing Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm made her final trip Friday to promote solar power in Puerto Rico after the power grid failed on New Year’s Eve.
Granholm visited Puerto Rico on Friday.to Keeping residents up to date on the Biden-Harris Administration’s efforts to support the recovery and modernization of puerto Rico“Energy infrastructure” following the island’s power grid We’re screwed And most Puerto Ricans were left in the dark on New Year’s Eve. Despite many power market experts having previously warned that over-reliance on intermittent solar power could undermine long-term grid reliability, Granholm The visit touted the government’s efforts and spending to bring solar power to Puerto Rico.
“The Biden administration took historic action.” to accelerate the reconstruction of puerto Rico“In response to the devastation caused by Hurricane Maria in 2017, we were able to strengthen the grid by releasing billions of dollars in disaster recovery funds that were on hold from 2017 to 2020.” said a Wednesday email to reporters informing Holm of his trip and the trip’s agenda. “Additionally, the Biden administration’s investment policies in the U.S. are also helping.” puerto RicoThe most vulnerable populations have access to cheaper and more resilient solar power and battery storage through programs such as Programa Acceso Solar and Programa de Comunidades Resilientes. ” (Related: Mike Leigh stumps Biden’s energy department with simple question on climate change)
This is my 10th and final visit to Puerto Rico as Secretary of Energy. Meeting community members and leaders here was a heart-warming experience. We are proud of the Biden Administration’s progress and look forward to its continued efforts to build the resilient, modern power grid Puerto Rico deserves. pic.twitter.com/EbievUOPJT
— Secretary Jennifer Granholm (@SecGranholm) January 10, 2025
The White House isfact sheetFriday outlined the administration’s efforts to shore up Puerto Rico’s hurricane-battered power grid, including billions of dollars in Federal Emergency Management Agency funding to support grid resiliency and solar energy. It touted initiatives such as more than $1 billion in conditional or approved taxpayer-funded loans to fund power generation projects. islands etc. But despite these efforts, Puerto Rico’s power grid was crippled as old underground cables were pulled out. reportedly As the nation prepares for the bell toll in 2025, the country is paralyzed and nearly the entire country is plunged into darkness.
A notification email sent to reporters in advance of the trip said Granholm attended three events that were open to the media during the trip, including a press conference and a meeting with local homeowners and Puerto Rican community leaders. It was specified that he would participate.
Granholm’s recent trip to Puerto Rico was his 10th trip since becoming energy secretary, and Republicans in Congress have criticized Granholm’s frequent visits to the island during the April 2023 presidential election. letter. The Department of Energy did not respond to requests for comment.
An April 2023 letter sent to Granholm by Republican Reps. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (Washington) and Morgan Griffith (Virginia) states that Granholm will have five months in the winter of 2022-2023. It was recorded that he visited Puerto Rico four times during that time. The letter also noted that Granhal also visited France, Australia, Mexico and Singapore in his capacity as energy secretary.
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