The US Energy Department renewed two emergency orders to support Puerto Rico’s electricity supply amid rising demand and reliability problems, the department said in a statement published on Nov. 7.
The renewals extend emergency measures taken in 2025 and 2026. The department announced them in its statement titled “Energy Secretary Builds on Progress to Strengthen Puerto Rico’s Energy Reliability.”
The renewed orders take effect on Nov. 8 and run through Feb. 5, 2027, the department said. They cover both the operation of generating units and vegetation management around power lines.
The orders authorize the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority to dispatch generating units that the department described as essential to maintaining the island’s electricity generation capacity.
The department said the measures would also allow vegetation management to continue, with the aim of reducing outages, improving the grid’s reliability over time and limiting blackout risks.
The department said falling branches and brush can damage transmission lines, cause widespread power outages and potentially start wildfires. The renewed orders address vegetation near those lines.
Energy Secretary Chris Wright said the orders would allow work on the electricity system to proceed while addressing reliability problems and preparing the grid to meet growing demand.
“These orders ensure critical work moves forward, pressing reliability challenges are addressed, and the island’s electric grid is equipped to meet growing energy demands,” Wright said.
Wright said the department’s work to modernize the grid aimed to provide households and businesses with electricity that was more affordable, reliable and secure. He credited President Donald Trump with supporting improvements.
Puerto Rico Governor Jenniffer González-Colón said the emergency powers had given the island flexibility to increase generating capacity, improve grid stability and carry out maintenance on the electricity system.
The governor referred to the measures as Section 202(c) orders. She said those authorities would remain necessary as Puerto Rico and federal officials continued efforts to improve electricity service.
González-Colón also said further work was needed. She thanked Trump and Wright for their support and said the joint effort aimed to deliver reliable and affordable electricity to families and businesses.
The department said the orders were intended to help secure the island’s electricity supply and maintain service when unexpected conditions arise. It linked the renewals to rising demand and continuing reliability challenges.
The department said it would continue working with González-Colón and local authorities to provide a reliable and secure grid for Puerto Rico’s 3.2 million Americans.
