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Public schools with no air conditioning or whose cooling systems are inoperable due to power outages blamed on a hurricane-battered electric grid are seeking relief, but it’s unlikely they’ll find it soon. Pedro Pierluisi quietly vetoed a bill that called for air conditioning systems for public schools. But air conditioning remains rare at public schools, which depend on fans and trade winds that blow through windows with metal shutters. It's unknown how many public schools lack air conditioning or have air conditioners that don't work because of electrical problems. More than 50% of public schools also have reported a heat-related emergency.

Persons: Ángel Muñiz, ”, Puerto Rico, Odalys Martínez, Pedro Pierluisi, “, Yasim Sarkis, “ There’s, ” Sarkis, Hurricane Maria, Sheila Angleró, Edwin Morales, it's, Raúl González, they've, Ángel Matos García, Sarkis ’, Sarkis, you’ll Organizations: JUAN, —, National Weather Service, Puerto Rico, “, Gov, Hurricane, Associated Press, Department of Education, island’s Federation of Teachers, Puerto Rico’s Association of Teachers, Puerto Rico’s, Representatives Locations: Puerto Rico, U.S, Caribbean, Puerto, San Juan, saunas, Bermuda

☆ Fact Check-Image does not show Joe Biden’s pants on backwards
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-14 | by ( Reuters Fact Check | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Pictures of Joe Biden’s visit to Puerto Rico in October 2022 show the president was wearing his pants correctly, despite posts on social media claiming otherwise. A search through Reuters Pictures returned a similar image to the one used in the meme, in which Biden is also wearing a blue shirt, beige pants and dark glasses. This higher definition photograph shows he was wearing his pants correctly, as a belt buckle and zip can be seen (bit.ly/3RVpdLy). President Joe Biden walks with First Lady Jill Biden and Governor of Puerto Rico Pedro Pierluisi at Port of Ponce, Puerto Rico, October 3, 2022.”A photograph from the same day shared by the White House (here) also shows Biden was wearing his clothes properly. Joe Biden did not wear his pants backwards during a visit to Puerto Rico.

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — A new private company will take over power generation units owned by the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority, the public corporation currently in charge of generating energy on the U.S. territory. The power generation equipment in Puerto Rico, plagued by ongoing blackouts and decaying infrastructure, is on average about 45 years old — twice the age of those on the U.S. mainland. The company and the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA) are currently undergoing a transition process set to last 100 days. Officials in Puerto Rico have been taking steps toward privatizing power generation for some time. Power customers in Puerto Rico have seen seven electric rate increases last year, even though people in Puerto Rico already pay about twice as much as mainland U.S. customers for unreliable service.

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — The governing board of the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority, the public corporation currently in charge of energy generation on the island, approved a contract that brings the U.S. territory one step closer to privatizing power generation. Less than 4% of Puerto Rico’s power generation currently comes from renewable energy. Power generation units in Puerto Rico are on average about 45 years old, twice those of the U.S. mainland. As part of the ongoing privatization process, the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority relinquished the island’s power transmission and distribution system to Luma Energy. It’s unclear whether privatizing power generation would have any impact on such efforts.

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — The government of Puerto Rico is a step closer to privatizing power generation on the island despite widespread skepticism among consumers, who crave a reliable source of electricity after decades of random power outages. The contract needs to be approved by the governing board of the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority and signed by Gov. Power generation units in Puerto Rico are on average about 45 years old, twice those of the U.S. mainland. The system was previously managed by the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority. The privatization process follows ongoing issues around Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority's bankruptcy.

Luma Energy secured an extension on its temporary contract Wednesday following a 4-1 vote by the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority’s board. Government officials promised Luma Energy and the partial privatization of the power grid would improve electric services. On other occasions, Luma Energy blamed outages on bad weather and sargassum, a type of seaweed. Still unresolved is the bankruptcy proceeding for the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority, which owes nearly $9 billion, the largest debt of any government agency. As soon as a federal judge approves a debt restructuring plan for the power authority, Luma Energy's contract will become permanent for 15 years.

☆ Five years after Hurricane Maria, Puerto Rico's power grid is still costly and unreliable
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-22 | by ( Fred Imbert | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

The state of Puerto Rico's power grid has been a sore spot for many island businesses and residents, leading to backlash against Luma Energy — the company brought in to operate and improve the grid after Hurricane Maria. Many businesses were forced to shut down for weeks after Hurricane Fiona hit. Luma Energy officially took over control of the island's power grid in June 2021 for the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority, or PREPA. In July, about two months before Hurricane Fiona hit Puerto Rico, hundreds of residents marched to Gov. The company also said Oct. 10 that power had been restored to 99% of clients affected by Hurricane Fiona.

☆ U.S. lawmakers criticize Biden administration Puerto Rico fuel waiver
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-21 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Oct 21 (Reuters) - A bipartisan group of House of Representatives lawmakers criticized the Biden administration decision on Friday to waive U.S. shipping rules in September for the delivery of fuel to Puerto Rico. The Sept. 28 Jones Act waiver allowed for the delivery of diesel sourced from the mainland United States by British Petroleum (BP.L) Products North America. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee chair Peter DeFazio, a Democrat, and top committee Republican Sam Graves expressed "concerns and disappointment" over the waiver. DHS issued a waiver of the Jones Act, a century-old law that requires goods moved between U.S. ports to be carried by U.S.-flagged ships. Last month, Puerto Rico Governor Pedro Pierluisi asked the White House for a waiver to increase the availability of fuel after the storm.

☆ U.S. approves LNG shipping waiver for Puerto Rico after hurricane
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-17 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Shipping Corp FollowWASHINGTON, Oct 16 (Reuters) - The Biden administration late on Sunday approved a waiver of U.S. shipping rules to address Puerto Rico's urgent need for liquefied natural gas (LNG) after Hurricane Fiona. In late September, the DHS approved a Jones Act waiver to ensure Puerto Rico had "sufficient diesel to run generators needed for electricity and the functioning of critical facilities." Last month, Puerto Rico Governor Pedro Pierluisi asked the White House for a waiver to increase the availability of fuel after the storm. A group of eight House lawmakers had asked Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas for "a one-year waiver from the Jones Act for Puerto Rico" which faces "an unprecedented uphill battle to rebuild its homes, businesses, and communities." All other waivers, DHS said, "must be reviewed on a case-by-case basis."

☆ Biden Administration Grants Waiver Allowing Diesel Shipment Into Puerto Rico
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-28 | by ( Paul Page | Andrew Restuccia | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +3 min

The Biden administration on Wednesday approved a temporary waiver to Jones Act shipping restrictions to allow a tanker to deliver diesel fuel to Puerto Rico needed to run generators following the devastation caused by Hurricane Fiona. The BP vessel, which picked up its fuel cargo in Texas, is flagged to the Marshall Islands. The law is aimed at preserving U.S. maritime operations as a national security backup to the armed forces. Critics say the law drives up shipping prices and creates a barrier to speedy services following natural disasters and other times of need. Mr. Mayorkas said he made the decision to grant the waiver in consultation with the departments of Transportation, Energy, and Defense, and with input from Puerto Rico Gov.

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — A ship carrying much-needed diesel fuel has been unable to dock in hard-hit southern Puerto Rico since Sunday while it awaits federal authorization because of the Jones Act, a century-old shipping law. That means that a foreign ship with goods for Puerto Rico would first have to disembark in the mainland U.S. and change crews. Signed into law by President Woodrow Wilson two years after World War I ended, the Jones Act was passed as a protective measure against foreign competition. On Thursday, eight members of Congress called for the federal government to grant a one-year waiver from the Jones Act for storm-ravaged Puerto Rico. As of Monday morning, only 16% of power customers in Ponce had their electricity restored, according to the Puerto Rican government.

☆ Fiona bears down on northeast Canada as big, powerful storm
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-24 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

A youth rides his bycicle at the seaside in Nagua, Dominican Republic, on September 19, 2022, as Hurricane Fiona passes through the country. Fiona, which started the day as Category 4 storm but weakened to Category 2 strength late Friday, was forecast to make landfall in Nova Scotia early Saturday. The Canadian Hurricane Centre issued a hurricane watch over extensive coastal expanses of Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland. The U.S. National Hurricane Center said Fiona should reach the area as a "large and powerful post-tropical cyclone with hurricane-force winds." It was centered about 140 miles (220 kilometers) southeast of Halifax, Nova Scotia, heading north at 46 mph (74 kph).

Hurricane Fiona moved toward Bermuda on Thursday after leaving a devastating path of destruction in the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico, authorities said. The Category 4 storm, traveling north, was expected to deliver a glancing blow to the western edge of Bermuda on Thursday night or Friday morning. After passing Bermuda, Fiona will target the Atlantic edges of Canada and likely make landfall near eastern Nova Scotia on Saturday morning. Much of Puerto Rico was still without power Thursday, as temperatures neared 100 degrees, triggering an excessive heat warning. "We’ll be with the Puerto Rico folks ... until this is done, until we recover," Biden told reporters in New York City, following a meeting with Gov.

President Joe Biden has approved a major disaster declaration for Puerto Rico as it reels from Hurricane Fiona, Gov. The administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Deanne Criswell, began touring affected communities in Puerto Rico on Tuesday, conducting initial damage assessments to support the governor's request. A man on Tuesday collects donated water bottles for drinking after Hurricane Fiona damaged water supplies in Toa Baja, Puerto Rico. Hurricane Fiona is the first major hurricane to directly hit Puerto Rico since it was ravaged by Hurricane Maria five years ago. "With regard to Hurricane Maria, the people of Puerto Rico, we believe, were treated in a manner inconsistent with the mandate toward equality, fairness and impartiality," Yaki said.

Up to 29 inches of rain have fallen in Puerto Rico as a result of Hurricane Fiona, overflowing rivers and small streams. “More significant rains are expected, further increasing the risk of landslides,” Puerto Rico Gov. Oliver Lopez’s family is among the many Puerto Ricans still without power or water as a result of Hurricane Fiona. Four deaths have been reported in the wake of Hurricane Fiona. A woman clears debris on her property flooded by Hurricane Fiona in Salinas, Puerto Rico, on Monday.

Workers remove utility poles in the aftermath of Hurricane Fiona in Higuey, Dominican Republic, September 19, 2022. REUTERS/Ricardo RojasSAN JUAN, Puerto Rico/SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic, Sept 20 (Reuters) - Residents were ordered to take shelter on the Turks and Caicos Islands on Tuesday as an increasingly powerful Hurricane Fiona churned towards the Caribbean archipelago, leaving death and destruction in Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. In Puerto Rico, a territory of the United States, residents were still facing strong winds, frequent lightning and heavy rain on Monday. Fiona made landfall in Puerto Rico on Sunday afternoon, dumping up to 30 inches (76.2 cm) of rain in some areas, with at least two people killed. Fiona made landfall in the Dominican Republic near Boca Yuma at 3:30 a.m. local time on Monday, according to the NHC.

☆ After devastating Puerto Rico, Hurricane Fiona has strengthened to a Category 3 storm, continuing its ruinous path across the Caribbean
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-20 | by ( Paola Rosa-Aquino | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Hurricane Fiona strengthened to a Category 3 storm on Tuesday after slamming into Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. "Localized additional flash and urban flooding is possible in southern portions of Puerto Rico," the National Weather Service warned, adding that another 1 to 4 inches of rain will fall over much of Puerto Rico into Wednesday morning. A woman and her dog take refuge in a shelter from Hurricane Fiona in Loiza, Puerto Rico, Sunday, Sept. 18, 2022. Nelson Cirino secures the windows of his home as the winds of Hurricane Fiona blow in Loiza, Puerto Rico, Sunday, Sept. 18, 2022. AP Photo/Alejandro GranadilloThe blow from Hurricane Fiona was made more devastating because Puerto Rico has yet to fully recover from 2017's Hurricane Maria.

The National Hurricane Center said Puerto Rico could get 12 to 18 inches of rain, with 30 inches possible in some areas. Nelson Cirino secures the windows of his home Sunday as the winds of Hurricane Fiona blow in Loiza, Puerto Rico. He said the first responders were prepared to be in Puerto Rico for as long as two weeks. Biden was briefed on the situation in Puerto Rico during his trip abroad, a senior administration official said. Nelson Cirino looks in his bedroom Sunday after Hurricane Fiona tore the roof off his house in Loiza, Puerto Rico.

☆ Hurricane Fiona sweeps away a bridge in Puerto Rico after causing 'catastrophic' flooding: video
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-19 | by ( Huileng Tan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Hurricane Fiona made landfall in Puerto Rico at 3:20 p.m. on Sunday with winds of 85 miles per hour. The storm swept away a bridge in the town of Utuado in central Puerto Rico. "These rains will produce life-threatening and catastrophic flash and urban flooding across Puerto Rico and the eastern Dominican Republic, along with mudslides and landslides in areas of higher terrain," the hurricane center said on Sunday. Hundreds of people have been evacuated or rescued across Puerto Rico as floodwaters submerged cars, the ground floor of buildings, and an airport runway, the AP reported. Tropical storm and hurricane conditions are likely to continue in parts of Puerto Rico until Monday morning, the hurricane center said.

☆ Hurricane Fiona slammed into Puerto Rico on Sunday, prompting catastrophic floods and knocking out power across the island
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-19 | by ( Paola Rosa-Aquino | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Hurricane Fiona made landfall in Puerto Rico's southwest coast on Sunday afternoon. "The damages that we are seeing are catastrophic," Puerto Rico Governor Pedro Pierluisi said on Sunday, per The Associated Press. "Catastrophic and life-threatening flooding" is forecast to continue across the majority of Puerto Rico, the National Hurricane Center said. After slamming into Puerto Rico on Sunday, Hurricane Fiona moved into the Dominican Republic on Monday morning. The National Hurricane Center said on Monday that "hurricane conditions" were expected to continue over portions of the Dominican Republic.

For Quiñones and other Puerto Ricans, the continuing fragility of Puerto Rico's power grid five years later is a constant source of concern in a region that expects the possibility of hurricanes every fall. “Five years later, we are still exposed to the same risk,” Marxuach, who recently completed an analysis on the state of Puerto Rico’s electric power system, said. On Sunday afternoon, an islandwide blackout was reported as the eye of Fiona neared Puerto Rico's southwestern coast. Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico on Sept. 20, 2017. In the meantime, residents were getting ready for another tropical storm, albeit one less destructive than Hurricane Maria.

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico/SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic, Sept 18 (Reuters) - Hurricane Fiona left most of Puerto Rico without power on Sunday, causing catastrophic flooding and landslides on the island before barreling toward the Dominican Republic, a government agency said. "This has been catastrophic," Puerto Rico Governor Pedro Pierluisi said at a news conference in the capital San Juan. The center of the storm made landfall on the southwestern coast of Puerto Rico near Punta Tocon at 3:20 p.m. Electricity had been out completely across the island of 3.3 million people, said LUMA Energy, operator of the island's grid, and the Puerto Rico power authority. 1/16 A man walk past an electricity pole that was damaged by Hurricane Fiona in Yauco, Puerto Rico September 18, 2022.

☆ Hurricane Fiona slams Dominican Republic after pounding Puerto Rico
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-16 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

A man on a motorcycle rides past fallen power lines in the aftermath of Hurricane Fiona in Higuey, Dominican Republic, September 19, 2022. Ricardo Rojas | ReutersHurricane Fiona roared over the Dominican Republic on Monday after knocking out power across all of Puerto Rico, causing damage the governor said was "catastrophic." Flooded roads triggered a blackoutHurricane Fiona flooded roads and triggered a general black out as it touched Puerto Rico. Members of National Guard rescue a womanMembers of the Puerto Rico National Guard rescue a woman stranded in her house in the aftermath of Hurricane Fiona in Salinas, Puerto Rico September 19, 2022. People clear a road from a fallen treePeople clear a road from a fallen tree after Hurricane Fiona affected the area in Yauco, Puerto Rico September 18, 2022.

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