President Trump Approves $ 12.8 Billion for The Electricity Grid and Education in Puerto Rico

Press Release

The resident commissioner, Jenniffer González Colón, highlighted that the agreement between the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Electric Power Authority (PREPA) for $ 10.5 billion and the agreement with the Department of Education for $ 2.3 billion are the results of the joint work achieved by the commissioner in the approval of funds in Congress as well as the commitment of the federal administration to rebuild Puerto Rico and the congressional oversight of state and federal agencies .

"Today President Trump authorized a $ 12.8 billion dollar agreement for Puerto Rico, of which $ 11.5 billion comes from the federal government. This unprecedented agreement is additional money to the one approved directly to Puerto Rico by Congress in CDBG-DR funds. These funds were requested from the federal government by the Department of Education and the Electric Power Authority under the government of Dr. Ricardo Rosselló and culminated in that of Ms. Wanda Vázquez. The agreement to fix schools, power lines and energy distribution in Puerto Rico represents the largest allocation of funds in the history of FEMA, "said the resident commissioner.

"From Congress I intervened for its approval and worked directly with federal agencies and the White House to achieve the signature and final agreement. Today I can say that it is a coordinated effort for the people of Puerto Rico. I am grateful to FEMA Administrator Pete Gaynor, President Trump, Admiral Peter Brown, my colleagues in Congress, and the government of Puerto Rico for this unprecedented achievement. New and available money for Puerto Rico! "Added the congresswoman.

Since Hurricane Maria passed through Puerto Rico, the commissioner has brought over 100 congressmen from both parties to the island so that they can see first-hand the devastation in the infrastructure and the needs of the people. As a result of these visits and the commissioner's close relations with the White House, the authorization of the largest funds for Puerto Rico was achieved and agreements such as the one announced today are still being negotiated to accelerate reconstruction.

In the Bipartite Budget Act of 2018, Congress allocated $ 2 billion in funding under the Community Development Block Grant- Disaster Relief (CDBD-DR) program of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). ) to improve Puerto Rico's electrical grid, specifically, for electrical system improvements. This new item of $ 10.5 billion will allow the improvement of the network and the construction of a stronger, better and more resistant one for the residents of the Island.

Currently, under FEMA $ 17.7 billion have been obligated to the Island, of which $ 13 billion has already been disbursed. Under this new agreement that adds up to $ 12.8 billion, 90% of the costs will be covered by the federal government and 10% by the state government. This represents a federal contribution of $ 11.5 billion, which is added to this already obligated FEMA account, totaling about $ 29.2 billion.

"We have worked to ensure that Puerto Rico is allocated even more funds necessary for our reconstruction. Our fragile electrical grid was severely damaged by Hurricane Maria causing the largest blackout in the nation's history and one of the longest in the world. Our goal has always been to build a more resilient electrical grid, not to return to the same system as before, and we are moving towards this with this new assignment, which underscores the Administration's commitment to the Puerto Rican people, "said the resident commissioner.

In addition to these funds, a $ 2.3 billion agreement is announced today to rebuild and improve physical plants in schools in Puerto Rico. Last May, after the commissioner requested the status of the funds on the funds of the Department of Education, the secretary of the state agency informed the congresswoman that they were working together with COR3 and FEMA in this agreement, this as fixed sum per square foot for rehabilitation works under Category E, in relation to Hurricane Maria.

Category E buildings and equipment covers structural components, interior systems (for example, electrical and mechanical systems), building contents, vehicles and equipment are eligible for repair or replacement. Replacement of pre-disaster supplies and consumable inventory quantities, replacement of library books and publications, and stabilization of damaged records are also eligible. If accumulated disaster-related mud, silt, or other debris does not pose an immediate threat but its removal is necessary to restore the building, its removal is eligible as permanent work; If it poses an immediate threat, the disaster-related work will be classified as Category A (Debris Removal).

"Our schools have suffered greatly from the effects of Irma, María, and the recent earthquakes. After Maria, we obtained funds in the Bipartite Law of 2018 to mitigate the effects of the disaster on our education system, including RESTART funds to help with expenses to reestablish operations in elementary and higher schools, and now we continue to strengthen it by ensuring that our students have stronger and safer schools, "said González Colón.

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