2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-TWO - Public Works (§§ 1 — 1104) › Chapter 28 - Puerto Rico Energy Transformation and RELIEF Act (§§ 1051 — 1056) › Subchapter I - General Provisions (§§ 1051 — 1051b) › § 1051 - Declaration of the public policy on electric power

The transformation and restructuration of our electric power system are essential to achieve the competitiveness and economic development of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. For such reason, it is hereby declared as the public policy of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico that:
(a) The cost of the electric power generated, transmitted, and distributed in Puerto Rico shall be affordable, just, and nondiscriminatory for all consumers;
(b) The availability of energy supply shall be guaranteed to the People.
(c) The implementation of the public policy on energy shall be an ongoing planning, consultation, execution, evaluation, and improvement process in all energy-related matters.
(d) The implementation of strategies geared toward achieving efficiency in the generation, transmission, and distribution of electric power shall be sought in order to guarantee the availability and supply thereof at an affordable, just, and reasonable cost;
(e) The safety and reliability of the electricity infrastructure shall be guaranteed by integrating clean and efficient energy and using modern technological tools that promote economic and efficient operations;
(f) The electrical infrastructure shall be maintained in optimum conditions as to ensure the reliability and safety of the electric power service;
(g) The Island shall become a jurisdiction with diversified energy sources and high efficiency electric power generation. To achieve this, it shall be necessary to reduce our dependence on energy sources derived from fossil fuels, such as oil, and to develop short-, medium-, and long-term plans that allow us to establish a well-balanced and optimum energy portfolio for the electrical system of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico;
(h) The maximum percentage of renewable energy that may be integrated and incorporated into Puerto Rico’s electricity infrastructure in a safe and reliable manner and at a reasonable cost shall be identified and kept updated. Moreover, suitable technologies and locations shall also be identified to make such integration feasible in accordance with the best interest of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico;
(i) The responsibility of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, its agencies, municipalities, and public corporations, as well as of natural or juridical persons, is to comply with every environmental law and regulations applicable to the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico in order to preserve the environment and quality of life of all Puerto Ricans;
(j) The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico shall become an efficient and responsible energy consumer and shall promote energy conservation and efficiency in all its branches and instrumentalities;
(k) The sensible, responsible, and efficient use of energy resources in Puerto Rico shall be promoted among residential, commercial, and industrial customers;
(l) Every consumer shall have the right to receive a reliable, stable, and excellent electric power service;
(m) Prices shall be based on the actual cost of the service provided, efficiency standards, or any other parameters recognized by government and non-governmental organizations specialized in electric power service;
(n) A reasonable price that conforms to the market, geographical realities, and the reality of the electric power infrastructure of Puerto Rico, among other factors, shall be ensured for the purchase of energy between independent power producers and PREPA;
(o) Transparency and citizen participation in every process related to electric power service in Puerto Rico shall be promoted;
(p) Electricity bill or service disputes shall be resolved equitably and diligently;
(q) PREPA shall promote the necessary changes in order to become an entity that satisfies the electric power needs of the 21st century-Puerto Rico;
(r) An independent electric power regulatory entity with broad powers and duties shall be created to ensure compliance with the public policy on energy, the provisions and mandates of this chapter, and ensure that energy costs are just and reasonable by overseeing and reviewing the rates of PREPA and any other electric power service company;
(s) Every electric power contributions, subsidies, or direct or indirect payments provided by PREPA shall be properly used in accordance with the objectives for which they were granted.
History —May 27, 2014, No. 57, § 1.2.