Rebuilding stronger, more resilient energy infrastructure in U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico focus of congressional delegation

Published on November 14, 2017 by Aaron Martin


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Efforts to restore power and to rebuild an electric grid that’s stronger and more resilient in the wake of Hurricane Maria highlighted a recent congressional delegation to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands that was attended by officials from the Department of Energy (DoE).

The group held the discussion with local leaders and toured storm-damaged communities. They also visited the Schneider Medical Center in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, and San Juan Children’s Hospital in Puerto Rico, where Tesla used solar and battery power to restore electricity.

DoE Under Secretary Mark Menezes said seeing the impact of Hurricane Maria’s devastation first-hand was “truly an eye-opening and heartbreaking experience.”

“But the people of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands are strong, and together we will restore and rebuild their home,” Menezes added. “The Department of Energy is deeply committed to working with our government and industry partners in order to restore energy and power back to our fellow Americans.”

Other DoE officials joining the congressional delegation were Bruce Walker, the assistant secretary for DoE’s Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability, and Devon Streit, the deputy assistant secretary for DoE’s infrastructure security and energy restoration. The delegation was led by U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Al Franken (D-MN) and Tom Carper (D-DE).

“I’ve seen my share of disasters, but the reality on the ground is extraordinary,” Murkowski, the chairwoman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, said. “Everywhere we went, we saw devastation. The families we met have touched each and every one of us, and we will stand strong with them throughout their recovery. As members of Congress, we have a big responsibility to our fellow Americans who call Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands home. We must work together to not only restore power in the short term but also find a workable, long-term solution to help the islands move forward with a more resilient and reliable energy grid that can withstand severe hurricanes.”

Murkowski and members of her committee are scheduled to probe efforts to rebuild stronger and more resilient energy systems in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands in hearings scheduled this week.