The Department of Energy (DOE) has announced the extension of emergency orders aimed at improving Puerto Rico’s electric grid. The orders, which were first issued in May, have allowed Puerto Rico’s government to implement measures intended to restore and stabilize the island’s fragile power system. The extension is set to keep these efforts ongoing through the peak summer season when electricity demand is highest.
“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 the 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 years of underinvestment, maintenance delays, financial troubles including bankruptcy by its system owner, as well as damage from hurricanes and earthquakes. These issues have made full recovery a long-term effort.
With hurricane season intensifying in late summer and fall, DOE has extended two previous 202(c) emergency orders. One order directs the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA) to continue using certain generation units necessary for maintaining reliability and meeting electricity needs. The other order allows PREPA to keep conducting vegetation management along key transmission corridors in order to prevent outages caused by overgrown plants or trees. Both extensions are effective from August 15 through November 12, 2025.
DOE officials stated that continued federal action aims to strengthen critical infrastructure so that residents have access to stable energy supplies. The agency plans ongoing collaboration with local leaders like Governor González-Colón as work proceeds on long-term improvements.
The original emergency orders were issued on May 16 under section 202(c) of the Federal Power Act. They gave PREPA authority both to operate specified generation units during emergencies for a period of 90 days and perform necessary vegetation control along transmission lines.
