New Act Mandates Two-Year Federal Study to Overhaul Puerto Rico's Energy Grid Oversight

This new legislation, officially titled the Puerto Rico Energy Oversight and Accountability Act, is straightforward: it orders a deep dive into how the island’s power grid has been managed since June 1, 2021. The mandate falls to the Comptroller General of the United States, who must deliver two comprehensive reports to Congress—one year after the law is enacted and a follow-up report one year later. This isn't just an audit; it’s a required blueprint for fixing the system.

The Grid Check-Up: Who’s Under the Microscope?

If you live or work in Puerto Rico, you know the power situation is critical. This study aims to find out exactly why. The Comptroller General must specifically examine how the management and operational decisions made by energy contractors LUMA Energy and Genera PR have affected everything from project completion times to contract handling and coordination with federal and local governments. Essentially, they are looking at whether the companies tasked with running the grid are actually getting the job done efficiently. They also have to look inward, assessing which local government policies have either helped or actively blocked federal disaster relief and efforts to make the grid more resilient against future storms.

Federal Funds and Accountability Roadblocks

Beyond just looking at the contractors, the study focuses on the flow of federal money. The Comptroller General must identify specific "problems or roadblocks" that are preventing the federal government from efficiently spending, overseeing, and implementing energy sector projects in Puerto Rico. For the average taxpayer, this means the study will pinpoint where the bottlenecks are—whether it’s bureaucratic red tape, lack of local capacity, or mismanagement—that are slowing down the recovery and costing everyone more money and time. This is a critical step toward ensuring that the billions allocated for reconstruction actually result in a stable, modern grid.

The Mandate for Real-World Solutions

Crucially, the Comptroller General can’t just point fingers; the reports must include specific, practical advice. This advice must focus on strengthening oversight of LUMA Energy and Genera PR and improving how federal, territorial, and local governments work together. Think of it as a required action plan to ensure federal money is used transparently and efficiently. The goal here is to speed up project execution and establish clearer accountability when it comes to contracts and daily operations. For those relying on the grid—from small business owners losing inventory during outages to families dealing with unreliable power—this means the law is designed to force tangible improvements in coordination and long-term planning for grid modernization.