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PS 281

“Para enmendar las Secciones 2 y 3 de la Ley 258-2018; enmendar los Artículos 3.3, 18.0, 23.3, 36.1 y 36.3 de la Ley 234-2004, según enmendada; y, enmendar la Sección 6 de la Ley Núm. 83 de 2 de mayo de 1941, según enmendada, a los fines de establecer las entidades cooperativas de servicio eléctrico o cooperativas de trabajo asociado que tengan como fin brindar servicios de construcción, reparación, mantenimiento y operación, en todo o en parte, de la red de transmisión y distribución, incluyendo, pero sin limitarse a la propiedad de la Autoridad de Energía Eléctrica, instalaciones municipales, servicios contratados entre la Autoridad de Energía Eléctrica y los municipios de Puerto Rico, como ente profesional subcontratado por los municipios para reparaciones de la red de transmisión o de distribución eléctrica de la Autoridad de Energía Eléctrica o de los municipios, así como parte microredes de distribución de energía eléctrica en Puerto Rico o que contraten con corporaciones privadas; establecer la política pública que favorece la contratación de cooperativas de servicio eléctrico; disponer y promover la contratación del Gobierno Central, agencias, departamentos, corporaciones públicas, instrumentalidades y municipios de cooperativas de servicio eléctrico; autorizar a la Autoridad de Energía Eléctrica a contratar corporaciones de servicio eléctrico para la consecución de sus fines; y para otros fines relacionados.”

2025-2028 Session

The bill would authorize and promote electric service and worker-owned cooperatives as contractors for Puerto Rico’s transmission and distribution grid, including AEE, municipaliti

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Bill Summary · PS 281

PS 281 — Summary of Bill

Overview

PS 281 proposes a broad set of amendments to existing Puerto Rico laws to create and promote electric service cooperatives (cooperativas de servicio eléctrico) and worker-owned cooperatives (cooperativas de trabajo asociado) as providers of construction, repair, maintenance, and operation services for the island’s transmission and distribution networks. The bill explicitly covers work on the Authority of Energy (Autoridad de Energía Eléctrica, AEE), municipal facilities, and networks contracted between AEE and municipalities, including microgrids and work with private corporations. It aims to establish a public policy favoring contracting with these cooperatives by the central government and its agencies, departments, public corporations, instrumentalities, and municipalities, and authorizes AEE to contract with electric service cooperatives.

Key Provisions (as described)

  • Amendments to:
    • Law 258-2018 (Sections 2 and 3)
    • Law 234-2004 (Articles 3.3, 18.0, 23.3, 36.1, 36.3)
    • Law 83 of May 2, 1941 (Section 6, as amended)
  • Policy shift to establish and promote cooperatives that provide:
    • Construction, repair, maintenance, and operation of the electrical transmission and distribution network
    • Involvement with AEE-owned facilities, municipal installations, and networks where AEE or municipalities contract services
    • Roles in microgrids and arrangements with private corporations
  • Public procurement policy favoring contracting with electric service cooperatives
  • Government-wide authorization for contracting cooperatives by the Central Government, agencies, departments, public corporations, instrumentalities, and municipalities
  • Authorization for AEE to contract with electric service cooperatives to achieve its objectives

Affected Parties

  • Electric service cooperatives and worker-owned cooperatives (potential contractors and service providers)
  • AEE (Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority)
  • Municipal governments and municipalities’ facilities
  • Central government entities (agencies, departments, public corporations, instrumentalities)
  • Private sector contractors and corporations involved in transmission/distribution work or microgrids

Procedural and Timeline Details

  • Introduced: January 27, 2025
  • Legislative actions on that date: filed (radicado), appeared for First Reading in the Senate, and referred to committees
  • Status: Referred to committees (as of the initial action)

Potential Impacts and Considerations

  • Shifts in who conducts critical grid construction and maintenance work, with greater roles for cooperatives and worker-owned entities
  • Possible effects on procurement processes, local job creation, and workforce ownership in the energy sector
  • Need for regulatory guidelines and oversight to ensure quality, safety, and reliability in transmission/distribution work
  • Implementation would likely require regulatory rules and performance standards to accompany the amendments

Next Steps

  • Committee review and hearings to assess feasibility, fiscal impact, and implementation timelines
  • Development of implementing regulations clarifying qualifications, contracting procedures, rates, and oversight for cooperatives working with AEE and municipalities

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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