On November 24th, 2025, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), Nydia Velázquez (NY-07) and Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) sent a letter urging the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to comply with a landmark federal court ruling requiring the agency to fully evaluate rooftop solar, battery storage, and other distributed renewable options when rebuilding Puerto Rico’s electric grid.
In October, the U.S. District Court for Puerto Rico found that FEMA violated the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) by failing to consider renewable, distributed alternatives before steering billions in post-disaster funds toward rebuilding the island’s fragile, centralized, fossil-fuel-based grid. The court ordered FEMA to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement that meaningfully analyzes rooftop solar and storage as a viable alternative.
In their letter, the lawmakers highlighted the ruling and its implications for Puerto Rico’s long-term recovery.
“We write to bring to your attention a recent decision by the U.S. Federal Court for the District of Puerto Rico, which held that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) violated the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) by failing to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) evaluating distributed renewable energy resources—such as rooftop solar and battery storage—as reasonable and appropriate alternatives to rebuilding Puerto Rico’s centralized fossil fueled electric grid in the aftermath of Hurricanes Irma and María.”
The letter notes that the court made clear Puerto Rico’s fossil-fuel-dependent grid is outdated, unreliable, and highly vulnerable to worsening climate impacts. It explains that the judge warned that continuing to direct federal recovery funds to the same centralized infrastructure would limit the island’s ability to pursue cleaner, more resilient alternatives. The letter also highlights the court’s determination that renewable, distributed energy options are viable and should have been fully considered during the rebuilding process.
The lawsuit that led to the ruling was brought by the Center for Biological Diversity and eight Puerto Rican community organizations: Alianza Comunitaria Ambiental del Sureste; Campamento Contra las Cenizas en Peñuelas; Casa Tallaboeña de Formación Comunitaria y Resiliencia; Comité Caborrojeño Pro Salud y Ambiente; Comité Diálogo Ambiental; Comité Yabucoeño Pro-Calidad de Vida; El Puente de Williamsburg; and Frente Unido Pro-Defensa del Valle de Lajas.
“This is not only an opportunity to comply with the law, but more importantly, to invest in the safety and well-being of Puerto Rico’s residents. Moving forward with the environmental impact statement will provide swift justice to those most vulnerable to the energy crisis. We expect FEMA to fulfill its duty and address the needs of those most in need.”- Federico Cintrón Moscoso, program director of El Puente de Williamsburg’s Latino Climate Action Network.
A full copy of the letter is available here
Source: Press Release
