PUERTO RICO
Half of Puerto Rico’s power grid will be back up on Wednesday, Nov. 15, as reported by several major news outlets. However, it could still be months before power is completely restored to the island.
According to USA Today, several U.S. senators are currently pushing for a modernization effort in Puerto Rico to improve or completely replace existing grids instead of rebuilding them to pre-storm conditions.
Hurricane Irma and Maria wiped out all of the island’s power roughly two months ago, but Puerto Rico’s outdated electricity grid and infrastructure posed challenges long before the major storms took place.
USA Today reported that officials in both Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands are exploring different ways to modernize their systems. Puerto Rico Gov. Ricard Rossello told senators that “the island wants to increase dependence on renewable sources and develop a system of microgrids around the island.”
The Virgin Islands, also heavily impacted by Hurricane Irma and Maria, has only restored 27% of its power grid at this time. Gov. Kenneth Mapp said he wanted to pursue steps similar to Puerto Rico.
More information on the current situation in Puerto Rico is available on the USA Today website.
