Para añadir unos nuevos incisos (u) y (v) al Artículo 1.2, añadir el sub-inciso (viii) al Artículo 1.4 y enmendar el Artículo 1.8 de la Ley 17-2019, según enmendada, conocida como “Ley de Política Pública Energética”; para enmendar la Secciones 2 (e) de la Ley 120-2018, según enmendada, conocida como la “Ley para Transformar el Sistema Eléctrico de Puerto Rico”; a los fines de reducir el costo de la electricidad mediante un sistema de despacho eficiente que garantice un servicio; para establecer métricas objetivas para un operador futuro; incorporar el principio de justicia ambiental; que el proveedor mantenga en óptimas condiciones la red eléctrica, de modo que esta sea más confiable, resiliente y eficiente; establecer que el Negociado de Energía no participará en procesos de adjudicación o supervisión de contratos de alianzas, para evitar conflictos de intereses o aun la apariencia de conflictos de intereses, entre ambas funciones; y para otros fines relacionados.

2025-2028 Session

Puerto Rico bill reforms electricity grid operations to reduce costs through efficient dispatch, environmental justice standards, and prevents regulatory conflicts of interest in utility contracts.

Referido a Comisión(es)

Legislative bill overview

Bill PC 94 amends Puerto Rico's energy policy laws (Laws 17-2019 and 120-2018) to reduce electricity costs through an efficient dispatch system while establishing objective metrics for future grid operators. The bill incorporates environmental justice principles, requires the utility to maintain optimal grid conditions, and prohibits the Energy Bureau from participating in contract supervision to avoid conflicts of interest.

Why is this important

Puerto Rico faces some of the highest electricity rates in the United States, affecting household budgets and business competitiveness. This bill attempts to address systemic inefficiencies in the electrical grid operation and governance—a critical issue given the territory's ongoing energy transition and infrastructure vulnerabilities. Clear operational standards and conflict-of-interest protections could improve service reliability and rate accountability.

Potential points of contention

Regulatory role clarity: Prohibiting the Energy Bureau from supervising contracts may create accountability gaps if oversight responsibilities aren't clearly reassigned to another entity

"Optimal conditions" definition: The requirement for optimal grid maintenance lacks specific technical standards, creating potential disputes over compliance and funding obligations

Implementation costs: More efficient dispatch and grid resilience improvements require significant capital investment; unclear who bears these costs and how rates may be affected during transition

Environmental justice scope: The bill invokes environmental justice principles without defining how they translate into concrete operational decisions or priority allocation