PUERTO RICO— The recent power outage in Puerto Rico significantly impacted nearly the island. The blackout happened early on New Year’s Eve at about 5:30 a.m.. Around 1.3 million customers lost power, or about 90% of the island’s population. Initial investigations indicate the outage was due to a problem with an underground power line in the south of the island.
Some hospitals and essential services were affected, but power was restored to critical facilities first. The blackout caused frustration, especially during New Year’s Eve celebrations.
Power was slowly restored in 24 to 48 hours, with 98% of customers returning it by Wednesday afternoon. Puerto Rico’s power grid has been weak because of years of underinvestment and poor maintenance.
“We are demanding answers and solutions from both Luma and Genera, who must expedite the restart of the generating units outside the fault area and keep the people duly informed about the measures they are taking to restore service throughout the Island,” Governor Pierluisi said emphasizing the urgency of the situation and the need for transparency in the restoration efforts.
Governor-elect Jenniffer González Colón has promised to tackle these issues and has named an “energy czar” to manage the power grid. The blackout revealed ongoing problems with Puerto Rico’s electricity system and the urgent need for upgrades to provide reliable power for residents.
The slow restoration of the power grid has brought attention to how the U.S. government treats Puerto Rico as a U.S. territory compared to the states.
Puerto Rico, a territory in the U.S. since 1898, has U.S. citizens who lack the representation and benefits of other states. Thus, Puerto Ricans often miss out on federal programs like SSI and have minimal political influence, with only a non-voting representative in Congress and no senators. Residents continue to advocate for equal rights, requiring legislative action for real change.
