The PR-ERF program collaborates with established DOE initiatives, funding sources, and strategic partnerships to deliver affordable energy solutions for Puerto Rico. Through these coordinated efforts, PR-ERF enhances the reliability and security of the island’s electrical system.
FEMA Inter/Intra-agency Reimbursable Work Agreement
Commonly called IRWAs, these types of work agreements are formal financial and operational contracts between agencies. An agency with an IRWA will typically provide supplies, technical assistance, or other services using their own resources and will be reimbursed by the agency requesting services. Work in Puerto Rico benefits from two IRWAs.
Multilab Energy Planning Support
The DOE National Labs are providing Puerto Rico stakeholders with tools, training, and modeling support to enable planning and operation of the electric power grid with more resilience against further disruptions. Technical management is provided by the DOE Office of Electricity, with funding from both DOE and FEMA through an interagency agreement.
Electrical Grid Resilience and Assessment System (EGRASS)
EGRASS is a cloud-based, web-accessible platform developed by the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory that helps utilities and emergency responders simulate the impact of natural disasters—like hurricanes, floods, wildfires, and earthquakes—on power grids, assess component failure risks, prioritize critical infrastructure protections, and optimize recovery strategies in real time.
Grid Resilience State and Tribal Formula Grants
In 2023 and 2024, the PR-ERF was awarded money through the Grid Resilience State and Tribal Formula Grants Program, which is designed to strengthen and modernize America’s power grid against wildfires, extreme weather, and other natural disasters.
Energy Dominance Finance Information
The Office of Energy Dominance Finance provides funding for American energy and manufacturing projects that meaningfully contribute to U.S. energy security, grid reliability, and lowering costs for all Americans. In response to the nation’s growing energy demands and the loss of hundreds of baseload plants, EDF stands ready to partner with the private sector to strengthen America’s energy foundation and support U.S. leadership in emerging artificial intelligence technologies. Through its financing programs, EDF supports the Trump Administration and Secretary Wright’s efforts to enhance energy security, maintain technological leadership, and ensure an affordable, reliable, and secure energy supply for all Americans.
Section 202(c) of the Federal Power Act
Section 202(c) grants the Secretary of Energy power to order temporary grid connections, power generation, or transmission overrides during severe energy shortages or grid reliability emergencies.
"Renewing these orders ensures critical work moves forwards, urgent reliability changes are addressed, and Puerto Rico's grid is ready to withstand rising energy demand."
The Honorable Chris Wright, Secretary of Energy, U.S. Department of Energy