Puerto Rico governor under fire as federal funds for solar projects are stalled

The U.S. Department of Energy missed a deadline to finalize contracts worth $365 million to install battery-operated solar systems in health clinics and public housing units as hurricane season approaches.

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — Puerto Rico’s governor came under fire Tuesday as her pledge to support the investment of millions of federal dollars in solar projects across the U.S. territory appeared to fade.

More than a week has passed since the U.S. Department of Energy missed a deadline to finalize contracts worth $365 million that would see battery-operated solar systems installed at health clinics and public housing units in Puerto Rico.

Since last month, the department has not been in communication with those awarded the grants, including the nonprofit Hispanic Federation.

“There’s been deathly silence,” said Javier Rúa Jovet, public policy director for Puerto Rico’s Solar and Energy Storage Association.

The lack of communication by the federal government comes as Puerto Rico prepares for the Atlantic hurricane season, which starts June 1 and is predicted to be above average, with nine anticipated hurricanes, four of them major.