Para enmendar el Artículo 8.01 de la Ley 85-2018, según enmendada, conocida como “Ley de Reforma Educativa de Puerto Rico”, a los fines de disponer que todos los proyectos y planos de construcción de planteles escolares, deberán incluir la instalación de plantas de emergencia o cualesquiera otros dispositivos alternos para la generación de energía renovable y cisternas u otros sistemas de captación de agua, de manera que no se vean interrumpidas las labores escolares en aquellas ocasiones donde falle el suplido normal de cualquiera de estos dos recursos; derogar la Ley 96-2005, conocida como “Ley sobre Equipos de Emergencia en los Planteles Escolares”; y la Res. Conj. 75-2018; y para otros fines relacionados.

2025-2028 Session

Mandates new Puerto Rico schools include backup power generators/renewable energy systems and water collection to maintain operations during utility failures, repealing prior emergency equipment laws.

Referido a Comisión(es)

Legislative bill overview

Bill PC 904 amends Puerto Rico's 2018 Education Reform Law to require all new school construction projects include emergency power generation systems (generators or renewable energy devices) and water collection systems (cisterns or similar). This ensures schools can continue operating during utility failures. The bill repeals two previous laws on emergency equipment in schools.

Why is this important

Puerto Rico faces frequent power outages and water supply disruptions due to aging infrastructure and hurricane vulnerabilities. Schools serve as critical community resources during emergencies, so ensuring their independent utility access directly impacts educational continuity, public health during crises, and reduces dependency on external supply chains. This addresses a documented infrastructure gap identified after multiple natural disasters.

Potential points of contention

Implementation costs: Renewable energy systems and water infrastructure add significant upfront construction expenses that may strain school budgets or reduce funding for other educational priorities

Maintenance responsibility: Unclear who bears ongoing maintenance costs for complex renewable systems (generators, solar panels, water treatment); poorly maintained equipment becomes useless during actual emergencies

Scope limitations: Applies only to new construction, leaving hundreds of existing schools vulnerable; does not address why previous emergency equipment laws (96-2005, Res. Conj. 75-2018) required repeal or what failures prompted this replacement approach

Technical specifications absent: Bill lacks detail on minimum power capacity, water storage volume, or renewable energy requirements, potentially creating compliance ambiguity