New York leaders visit Puerto Rico to pledge aid amid power grid struggles

A $1 billion federal program for solar power and battery storage has been scrapped, leaving thousands of Puerto Rican families without promised energy support. This loss of funding has triggered a new legal challenge and a visit from New York state leaders who say the recent midterm election results will change the territory's trajectory.

The timeline of events began in September 2017 when Hurricane Maria severely damaged Puerto Rico's power grid. The infrastructure was already weakened by years of limited maintenance and investment. Following the storm, the U.S. government funded a program to install solar and battery systems in low-income homes and those with medical needs. In recent months, the administration of President Donald Trump canceled these projects. The Department of Energy stated that the funds would instead be used to maintain the existing power grid.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and New York Governor Kathy Hochul arrived in San Juan this week. They are part of a delegation attending a four-day annual conference for New York government officials. On Friday, the two leaders met with local nonprofit groups and announced a new $280,000 partnership. This initiative involves the Hispanic Federation and the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York. The funds will equip 10 community-run resiliency hubs across the island. These hubs will receive increased water storage capacity, rain-collection systems, kitchen infrastructure, and solar power with battery storage.

Mamdani described the recent election results as a chance to support working-class people. He stated that what is often described as a natural crisis in Puerto Rico is actually a political crisis resulting from specific choices. Governor Hochul called the election outcome a new day for the territory. She warned that the federal government would be held responsible for the island's needs. She said she hopes to heal past wounds by bringing resources for resiliency, energy projects, grid building, healthcare, and nutrition programs.

Frankie Miranda, president and CEO of the Hispanic Federation, said the group must work with new leadership to ensure the Puerto Rico agenda is not forgotten. He noted that public policies have been harmful to the territory. The announcement of the new partnership comes as the island continues to face chronic power outages and intermittent water shortages.

Last week, six Puerto Rico residents filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Energy Department and Secretary Chris Wright. The suit challenges the cancellation of the $1 billion solar program. The plaintiffs include Ileana Rios, a 63-year-old resident of Arecibo who is diabetic and requires refrigeration for her insulin. Her son has asthma and uses a nebulizer that requires electricity. The lawsuit states that Rios regularly loses power during stable weather and often for weeks during storms. The other plaintiffs also have serious health conditions requiring electricity-dependent equipment or medications.

The lawsuit asks a judge to order the Energy Department to reinstate the grant program. The agency did not return a message seeking comment on the case. Nonprofits that participated in the federal program faced months of uncertainty while waiting for the administration's decision. Sybelle Rodriguez del Valle, director of operations at Barrio Electrico, said the lack of communication made the process difficult. Barrio Electrico provides electric service to more than 500 families. It was set to provide resilient energy for 1,200 families using federal funds. The organization completed only about one-third of its projects before the program ended, losing an estimated $16 million to $20 million in funding.

The visit by New York officials and the announcement of the new partnership mark the latest developments in the territory's ongoing push for energy stability. The lawsuit filed last week remains active as the residents seek to restore the canceled federal program.