Para establecer la “Ley para la Resiliencia de la Infraestructura Eléctrica y la Seguridad Pública mediante el Manejo Integrado de Vegetación”, a los fines de crear un marco normativo uniforme y técnicamente sólido para la gestión de vegetación en las servidumbres eléctricas de Puerto Rico; establecer la métrica de distancia de despeje como el estándar primario para la poda utilitaria; simplificar los procedimientos de permisos y notificación; fortalecer las salvaguardas ambientales mediante un programa de reforestación compensatoria; clarificar la jurisdicción y preempción del Estado en esta materia; y para otros fines relacionados

2025-2028 Session

Puerto Rico creates uniform vegetation management standards for electrical easements, streamlines permits, and mandates compensatory reforestation while asserting state regulatory preemption.

Referido a Comisión(es)

Legislative bill overview

Bill PC 1148 establishes a comprehensive legal framework for managing vegetation in electrical utility easements across Puerto Rico. It standardizes clearance distances for utility pruning, streamlines permitting procedures, and creates compensatory reforestation requirements while clarifying state jurisdiction over this regulatory matter.

Why is this important

Vegetation management in electrical easements directly impacts power grid reliability and public safety, particularly during hurricane season when overgrown branches cause outages and infrastructure damage. Clear, uniform standards reduce disputes between utilities, property owners, and environmental agencies while potentially accelerating maintenance work that currently faces regulatory delays.

Potential points of contention

Environmental vs. utility priorities: Environmental groups may oppose broad pruning authority if compensatory reforestation requirements are insufficient or poorly enforced, potentially resulting in net habitat loss

Property owner rights: Landowners could object to simplified permitting procedures that limit their consultation on vegetation removal on their property within easement areas

Preemption concerns: Municipalities may resist state preemption of local land-use authority, viewing it as undermining local environmental and planning jurisdiction

Reforestation standards ambiguity: The bill's reforestation program lacks details on species selection, location requirements, maintenance responsibility, and whether compensation is adequate for ecological loss

Enforcement mechanisms: Unclear penalties and oversight mechanisms could result in utilities prioritizing rapid clearance over sustainable practices