The New Jersey Puerto Rico Commission announced Aug. 25 eight recipients of $200,000 in grants for energy resilience projects, located in Puerto Rico.
Over the next year, the commission will communicate with grant recipients on the island and stakeholders to oversee a diverse array of projects. Funds from this grant will be used to enhance independent energy sources within emergency shelters and response services, community buildings, and organizations with power life support tailored to populations of seniors and individuals with disabilities/chronic medical conditions.
About 500,000 people of Puerto Rican descent live in New Jersey. That makes New Jersey home to the third-largest Puerto Rican population among U.S. states, following Florida and New York. Puerto Ricans make up about 8.4% of New Jersey’s total population. High concentrations of Puerto Rican residents are in Camden, Vineland, and Perth Amboy.
Lieutenant Governor Tahesha Way, who oversees the commission in her role as secretary of state, stated, “The efforts of the Puerto Rico Commission are crucial in building bridges and engaging in mutually beneficial endeavors. This grant is integral to our comprehensive strategy and commitment to fostering growth and partnership.”
The 35-member bi-partisan New Jersey Puerto Rico Commission was first established in the wake of Hurricane Maria with a law signed by Governor Murphy on Jan. 9, 2020. The commission’s purpose is to strengthen ties and promote collaboration between New Jersey and Puerto Rico in areas such as culture, economy, and community support.
Hurricane Maria struck Puerto Rico on Sept. 20, 2017, making landfall as a Category 4 hurricane with sustained winds of up to 155 mph. Some estimates put the human fatality toll at 2,982 and the economic damage was estimated at $90 billion. The entire island lost electricity, resulting in the longest blackout in U.S. history. The commission estimates that 30,000 Puerto Ricans came to New Jersey after being displaced by Hurricane Maria.
“With the awarding of this $200,000 inaugural alternative energy grant, I am proud that we are taking meaningful steps to support not only our fellow citizens here in New Jersey, but also our brothers and sisters in Puerto Rico,” said NJPRC Chairwoman Peggy Anastos. “This is unity in action — rooted in purpose, powered by progress.
In 2018, the pre-statutory Utilities Committee of the exploratory New Jersey-Puerto Rico Relief Commission reported and recommended that New Jersey could significantly enhance Puerto Ricans’ quality of life by supporting efforts to stabilize and improve the island’s electrical system. This grant is the product of research and needs assessments of the Island’s top priorities, with a focused mission of providing continuation of services and independence from the grid system.
“I’m proud of the commission’s work to launch the alternative energy grant program in addressing a critical infrastructure issue that has plagued Puerto Rico for decades. An unpredictable grid impacts the island’s businesses, hospitals, schools and disrupts everyday people’s lives,” said Assemblywoman Yvonne Lopez.
The awardees were determined via an independent review process facilitated by the Center for Hispanic Policy, Research and Development. The commission established the guidelines and objectives for the grants.
The grant recipients are Puerto Rican Association for Human Development (NJ); Municipio de Toa Baja; Let’s Share the Sun; HASER Inc.; Asociación de Residentes de La Margarita Inc.; Empowered by Light; Techos Pa’ Mi Gente (TPMG Corp.); and The Salvation Army Caguas.
