The Department of Energy (DOE) has extended emergency orders aimed at improving the reliability of Puerto Rico’s electric grid. The extension will allow ongoing work to continue through the peak summer demand season, as efforts focus on addressing longstanding issues that have affected electricity supply on the island.
“A reliable and secure power grid is essential for modern life, and the residents of Puerto Rico deserve solutions now. Thanks to President Trump’s leadership, we are able to take action, moving from years of instability toward measurable, lasting progress,” said U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright. “By extending these orders, DOE is ensuring critical work continues, urgent energy reliability needs are addressed, and the grid is more prepared to withstand the most demanding stretch of hurricane season for the 3.2 million Americans who call Puerto Rico home.”
Puerto Rico Governor Jenniffer González-Colón expressed support for DOE’s decision: “I thank Secretary Wright and strongly support the Department of Energy’s extension of the 202(c) emergency orders for Puerto Rico, which have provided needed flexibilities to maintain sufficient power generation capacity and conduct vegetation control activities along critical transmission lines. The Trump Administration’s close collaboration and commitment to stabilize and rebuild our power grid has been unprecedented and is already yielding results,” she said. “I look forward to building on this momentum and continue partnering with President Trump and Secretary Wright as we strengthen Puerto Rico’s electrical system and ensure an affordable, reliable, and secure supply of energy for the island’s 3.2 million Americans.”
Puerto Rico’s electric grid has suffered from decades without adequate maintenance or investment. Additional challenges such as bankruptcy by its system owner and severe weather events—including hurricanes and earthquakes—have left infrastructure in a weakened state.
As part of preparations for what is typically a more active period in hurricane season, DOE extended two previous 202(c) orders first issued in May 2025 under section 202(c) of the Federal Power Act. One order instructs the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA) to keep dispatching generation units needed for maintaining reliable service; another requires continued vegetation management along key transmission routes. Both extensions are effective from August 15 through November 12, 2025.
The original emergency directives authorized PREPA to operate specific generation units during certain conditions over a 90-day period beginning May 16, while also mandating vegetation control measures intended to reduce faults caused by overgrowth near transmission lines.
DOE says it will keep working with local authorities including Governor González-Colón as well as other stakeholders in efforts focused on stabilizing critical infrastructure across Puerto Rico.
