Welcome to Connect Puerto Rico,

We cover how U.S. policy, business decisions, and infrastructure plans shape Puerto Rico’s energy development and disaster recovery.

This month, we’re tracking:

🚨Federal emergency declared for Puerto Rico’s grid
🌧️ Flooding & emergency aid delays
⚡ Solar funding pulled mid-deployment
🆘 FEMA’s readiness report leaked
⚖️ Climate lawsuit dropped

We explain what happened — and what you can do next.

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The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) issued emergency orders under Section 202(c) of the Federal Power Act to address Puerto Rico’s grid instability on May 16. The declaration authorizes immediate federal intervention to stabilize Puerto Rico’s fragile power system.

The DOE also announced a full review of $365 million allocated for solar and battery storage projects from the resilient communities program under the $1 billion Puerto Rico Energy Resilience Fund. (U.S. Department of Energy)

This may be the most direct federal acknowledgment to date that Puerto Rico’s energy crisis is a national emergency. DOE officials cited threats to public safety and access to basic services. The move could shift how energy resilience funds are allocated — and who decides.

How will the emergency orders be implemented on the ground? Will local officials, community organizations, and residents be involved in shaping next steps?

Puerto Rico extended a state of emergency to 10 towns after two weeks of rain caused landslides and flooding, killing two people.

One man drowned in floodwaters; another died when a tree fell on his car during a landslide in Toa Baja. San Juan, Cidra, Vega Alta, and Aguas Buenas were among the hardest hit.

Damages exceeded $10 million, but towns are only receiving $100,000 each in emergency funds (Associated Press).

Local leaders say they’re underfunded and overwhelmed, facing collapsed roads, broken water systems, and isolated neighborhoods. With FEMA’s disaster fund nearly empty, many may face recovery alone as hurricane season begins June 1.

Will leaders push for long-term climate-resilient infrastructure and federal support?

Gov. Jenniffer González is under fire after withdrawing support for $365 million in federal solar grants intended for Puerto Rico’s health clinics and public housing.

The U.S. Department of Energy missed a contract deadline and hasn’t communicated with awardees. The grants were part of over $1 billion in federal clean energy funding for the island. (Associated Press).

The funds were meant to deliver battery-backed solar systems to vulnerable communities before hurricane season. Redirecting them toward grid infrastructure instead could leave those most at risk without reliable power.

Will the federal government reassign the funds? Will local leaders push to restore support for distributed solar?

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A leaked internal review obtained by CNN shows FEMA is “not ready” for the June 1 start of hurricane season.

The memo cites staffing cuts, stalled training, and poor coordination with states and federal partners. FEMA has lost nearly 30% of its staff.

Acting Administrator David Richardson — who lacks disaster response experience — was appointed to carry out Trump’s plan to shrink the agency. (CNN).

Puerto Rico relies on FEMA after storms, but the agency is in crisis. Critical decisions are delayed, experienced staff are gone, and aid may be delayed or missing. As hurricane season begins, communities are left to cope alone.

Will Congress restore FEMA funding and oversight? Will Puerto Rican officials demand a stronger voice in agency reform?

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Puerto Rico has withdrawn its 2024 climate lawsuit against major oil companies — just two days after the Trump administration’s DOJ sued to block similar cases in Michigan and Hawaii.

The lawsuit accused fossil fuel companies of misleading the public about climate risks. No explanation was given for the withdrawal. (The Guardian).

The case was Puerto Rico’s most prominent attempt to hold Big Oil accountable for climate-driven damages like Hurricane Maria. Its dismissal under Gov. Jenniffer González-Colón, a Trump ally, signals a political retreat from climate accountability. Legal advocates warn this could undermine future recovery and resilience efforts.

Will local governments or advocacy groups step in to continue the fight? And how will Puerto Rico’s leadership reshape its climate strategy under federal and industry pressure?

Hi, I’m Jillian. I’m a journalist, editor, and founder of Connect Puerto Rico.

I started this project after reporting from the island in 2019, where I saw how energy efforts lacked coordination and community input.

This newsletter connects U.S. policy and science to what’s happening on the ground — because Puerto Rico shouldn’t just recover, it should lead.