The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has renewed two emergency orders to help strengthen Puerto Rico’s electric grid as the island prepares for higher energy demand and the 2026 hurricane season. The renewed orders allow the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA) to operate generation units necessary for maintaining critical generation capacity and to accelerate vegetation management aimed at reducing outages and improving grid reliability.
“The Department of Energy will continue modernizing Puerto Rico’s electric grid to ensure the island achieves long-term resilience and reliability,” said U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright. “Renewing these orders ensures critical work moves forward, urgent reliability challenges are addressed, and Puerto Rico’s grid is ready to withstand rising energy demand. Thanks to President Trump, these efforts are delivering real, lasting progress for Puerto Rico.”
Since DOE began issuing emergency orders in May 2025, up to 820 MW of baseload generation capacity has been restored in Puerto Rico, increasing total systemwide generation capacity to 6,460 MW. Some plants were able to keep running without water injection during a water crisis, allowing electricity service to continue despite unexpected conditions.
The renewed orders also address issues with vegetation near high-voltage lines. Tree limbs or brush falling during storms or strong winds can damage transmission lines, lead to widespread outages, and increase wildfire risk.
Puerto Rico Governor Jenniffer González-Colón commented on the importance of these actions: “The Department of Energy’s 202(c) emergency orders have been instrumental in preventing the widespread power outages Puerto Rico was expected to face, allowing us to increase our baseload generation capacity and advance grid stability measures. Extending the orders is necessary to continue making progress and I thank President Trump and Secretary Wright for their unwavering commitment to ensure the island has an affordable, reliable supply of energy.”
The new emergency orders will be in effect from February 10 through May 11, 2026. DOE stated it would keep working with Governor González-Colón and local authorities so that all residents have access to a reliable electric grid.
DOE previously issued similar emergency orders under Section 202(c) of the Federal Power Act in May 2025 and renewed them in August and November that year.
In related efforts supported by federal programs, DOE announced a $225 million program funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for implementing new building energy codes aimed at increasing efficiency and resilience across communities (https://www.energy.gov/articles/biden-harris-administration-launches-225-million-program-lower-utility-bills-through-more). The department also continues initiatives supporting clean transportation technology development with $96 million announced for decarbonizing domestic transportation through expanded vehicle charging accessibility (https://www.energy.gov/articles/doe-announces-96-million-advancing-clean-vehicle-technologies-reduce-carbon-emissions).
Additionally, DOE supports environmental management projects such as using passive energy processes at former coal-fired power plant sites (https://www.energy.gov/em/articles/srs-tackles-groundwater-issue-using-innovative-passive-energy-process), highlighting ongoing efforts across multiple fronts toward resilient infrastructure.
On July 25, 2022, DOE announced over 140 programs supporting President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative designed to deliver significant clean energy investments—at least 40%—to disadvantaged communities nationwide (https://www.energy.gov/articles/doe-announces-more-140-programs-supporting-president-bidens-justice40-initiative).
