Trump admin redirects $365M meant for solar power projects in Puerto Rico to more reliable fossil fuels

05/24/2025 / By Ramon Tomey

The DOE redirected $365 million from Puerto Rico’s planned rooftop solar projects to fossil fuel-based power generation, citing urgent grid stabilization needs.
Energy Secretary Chris Wright justified the move by emphasizing Puerto Rico’s chronic blackouts and aging infrastructure, prioritizing immediate relief over long-term renewable investments.
Supporters, including Puerto Rico’s governor, called it necessary for addressing the island’s “energy emergency.” Meanwhile, critics (e.g., New York Rep. Velazquez) accused the Trump administration of abandoning climate goals and vulnerable communities.
The DOE argued fossil fuels provide reliable baseload power, whereas solar requires costly storage. Opponents, like solar advocates, countered that renewables offer faster, cleaner solutions.
Puerto Rico’s grid remains fragile due to decades of neglect, Hurricane Maria’s damage and unspent federal recovery funds, raising concerns about long-term resilience amid an active hurricane season.

The Department of Energy (DOE) has redirected $365 million from Puerto Rico’s planned rooftop solar projects to fossil fuel-based power generation – bolstering its electric grid.

Energy Secretary Chris Wright announced the move through an emergency order issued Wednesday, May 21. He noted that it prioritizes immediate grid stabilization over long-term renewable energy investment.

The secretary cited the island’s chronic blackouts and aging infrastructure as a key reason for redirecting the funds. Critics argued the decision abandons vulnerable communities, while supporters insist it delivers faster relief to millions.

Originally awarded under the Biden administration in late 2024, the funds were intended for solar and battery storage projects set to begin construction in 2026. But following Wright’s emergency order, the DOE will now allocate the money to dispatch oil-fired power plants, clear vegetation threatening transmission lines and upgrade aging infrastructure.

Contrary to criticisms by climate alarmists, oil-fired power plants that rely on fossil fuels are able to provide consistent baseload power. In contrast, solar installations stop generating power when the sun is out. They cannot offer consistent electricity generation without extensive and costly storage systems.

The DOE defended the funding shift from renewables to fossil fuel in a statement. It asserted that the move would “expand access to reliable power for millions of people rather than thousands” and yield a “higher return on investment for taxpayers.”

Solar vs. fossil fuels: The debate over Puerto Rico’s fragile grid

Puerto Rico Gov. Jenniffer Gonzalez praised the move, calling it a necessary step to address an “energy emergency” affecting all 3.2 million residents. Opponents, however, see it as a politically motivated reversal of climate-conscious policies.

“This is shameful,” said Rep. Nydia Velazquez (D-NY) on social media. The longtime congresswoman for the Empire State accused Republicans of abandoning the island’s most vulnerable just before hurricane season.

Javier Rua Jovet of Puerto Rico’s Solar and Energy Storage Association noted that solar batteries could provide faster, cleaner solutions. Meanwhile, Frankie Miranda of the Hispanic Federation dismissed the redirection as a distraction given the grid’s $18 billion in unspent federal recovery funds.

The controversy underscores Puerto Rico’s dire energy reality. The island’s power grid rippled by decades of neglect, the 2017 bankruptcy of its public utility and Hurricane Maria’s devastation remains prone to collapse. Recent blackouts in December and April left hundreds of thousands without power, and experts warn this year’s above-average hurricane season could trigger further outages. (Related: 90% of Puerto Rico plunged into darkness on New Year’s Eve.)

While the second Trump administration emphasizes immediate fixes, critics argue the pivot to fossil fuels ignores long-term resilience and the island’s solar potential. As Puerto Rico braces for another storm season, the funding shift highlights a broader tension – the urgent need for reliable electricity versus the climate alarmists’ push for “renewable” yet unstable power.

Watch this video explaining why banning fossil fuels to shift to renewables is foolish.

This video is from THE LIGHT BULB INITIATIVE channel on Brighteon.com.