{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://hernandez.house.gov/media/press-releases/hernandez-unveils-agenda-congress-tackle-puerto-ricos-water-and-energy-crises", "Hern\u00e1ndez Unveils Agenda in Congress to Tackle Puerto Rico\u2019s Water and Energy Crises", "2026-08-30", "2026", "2026-08", "Democrat", "House", "PR", "Pablo Jos\u00e9 Hern\u00e1ndez", "H001103", "hernandez.house.gov", "hernandez", "https://hernandez.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico \u2014 El comisionado residente en Washington, Pablo Jos\u00e9 Hern\u00e1ndez Rivera, present\u00f3 hoy una agenda de cinco puntos para atender las crisis de agua y energ\u00eda en Puerto Rico, al marcar su regreso a la capital federal tras un mes de trabajo en la isla y el receso de agosto de la C\u00e1mara de Representantes.\n\n\"Regreso a Washington con una agenda clara: voy a priorizar lo b\u00e1sico, agua y energ\u00eda,\" dijo Hern\u00e1ndez Rivera. \"Antes de hablar de desarrollo econ\u00f3mico, de atraer inversi\u00f3n o de decir que Puerto Rico est\u00e1 abierto para hacer negocios, tenemos que priorizar lo b\u00e1sico.\"\n\nAl regresar a Washington, Hern\u00e1ndez Rivera indic\u00f3 que se mantendr\u00e1 enfocado en agua y energ\u00eda a trav\u00e9s de las siguientes cinco acciones:\n\nSolicitar\u00e1 que el Congreso investigue formalmente el esc\u00e1ndalo de Power Expectations.\n\nExigir\u00e1 respuestas directas del zar de Energ\u00eda federal y del presidente del 3PPO sobre el alegado encubrimiento de este esc\u00e1ndalo.\n\nLe dar\u00e1 seguimiento a la inclusi\u00f3n en el Senado de las prioridades de Puerto Rico en el Water Resources Development Act, que incluye hasta $75 millones para proyectos de agua en Puerto Rico y ya fue aprobado en la C\u00e1mara de Representantes.\n\nLe dar\u00e1 seguimiento a la investigaci\u00f3n de la Oficina de Rendici\u00f3n de Cuentas del Gobierno (GAO) sobre el uso de los miles de millones de d\u00f3lares en fondos federales destinados a los sistemas de agua de Puerto Rico y por qu\u00e9 la isla a\u00fan no cuenta con servicio confiable.\n\nContinuar\u00e1 el reclamo por una Declaraci\u00f3n de Desastre Mayor y por que se expanda a m\u00e1s municipios la declaraci\u00f3n de emergencia por sequ\u00eda del Departamento de Agricultura federal (USDA).\n\nEl comisionado residente repas\u00f3 adem\u00e1s un mes de gestiones concretas en torno al agua:\n\n7 de agosto \u2014 Present\u00f3 un paquete de cinco acciones federales y pidi\u00f3, por primera vez, que la gobernadora solicite una Declaraci\u00f3n Presidencial de Desastre.\n\n11 de agosto \u2014 Se uni\u00f3 a un grupo de congresistas para exigirle al GAO una investigaci\u00f3n exhaustiva sobre el manejo de $9,000 millones en fondos federales para el sistema de agua.\n\n13 de agosto \u2014 Lider\u00f3 una carta junto a 25 congresistas exhortando a la gobernadora Jenniffer Gonz\u00e1lez-Col\u00f3n a solicitar formalmente la Declaraci\u00f3n de Desastre Mayor.\n\n17 de agosto \u2014 Su oficina exigi\u00f3 a la Autoridad de Acueductos y Alcantarillados (AAA) datos sobre las p\u00e9rdidas de agua \u2014cerca del 60% de lo que produce la agencia\u2014, los retrasos en proyectos cr\u00edticos y el uso de fondos federales disponibles.\n\n21 de agosto \u2014 Encabez\u00f3 una gesti\u00f3n junto a nueve miembros del Congreso exigi\u00e9ndole al USDA la declaraci\u00f3n de desastre por sequ\u00eda.\n\n\u201cNuestras gestiones han rendido resultados. El 26 de agosto, el USDA aprob\u00f3 oficialmente la declaraci\u00f3n de desastre por sequ\u00eda para 26 municipios de Puerto Rico, abriendo acceso a pr\u00e9stamos de emergencia y ayudas para los agricultores afectados. Adem\u00e1s, logramos incluir 11 prioridades de Puerto Rico \u2014incluyendo $75 millones\u2014 en el Water Resources Development Act\u201d, a\u00f1adi\u00f3.\n\nEl Comisionado Residente estuvo acompa\u00f1ado por el portavoz del PPD en el Senado, Luis Javier Hern\u00e1ndez; el portavoz del PPD en la C\u00e1mara de Representantes, H\u00e9ctor Ferrer; la alcaldesa de Naguabo, Miraidaliz Rosario Pag\u00e1n; la alcaldesa de Lo\u00edza, Julia Nazario; y el alcalde de Juncos, Alfredo \u201cPapo\u201d Alejandro, quienes se unieron al reclamo por respuestas y mayor fiscalizaci\u00f3n ante los problemas que enfrentan sus comunidades.\n\nAlcaldesas de Naguabo y Lo\u00edza respaldan gestiones del Comisionado Residente: \u201cEs ins\u00f3lito que haya millones en fondos federales asignados para proyectos de infraestructura y que la burocracia frene su avance. Agradezco al Comisionado Residente por examinar en Naguabo esta realidad. Nos sumamos firmemente a su llamado para que el USDA extienda la declaraci\u00f3n de emergencia por sequ\u00eda a m\u00e1s municipios que est\u00e1n sufriendo esta crisis, as\u00ed como a su exigencia de investigar a fondo el contrato de energ\u00eda temporera. Nuestras familias no pueden seguir a la merced de la ineficiencia\u201d, manifest\u00f3 la alcaldesa de Naguabo Miraidaliz Rosario Pag\u00e1n.\n\n\u201cAgradecemos las gestiones del Comisionado Residente y su presencia en nuestros municipios para constatar esta grave situaci\u00f3n. La falta de agua y luz afecta el comercio, el turismo y la salud mental de nuestra gente, como vemos a diario en nuestro equipo comunitario. Apoyamos al cien por ciento su agenda desde Washington para lograr que la ayuda por la sequ\u00eda llegue a m\u00e1s pueblos necesitados y para que se le rindan cuentas al pa\u00eds sobre las irregularidades en el contrato de generaci\u00f3n temporera\u201d, destac\u00f3 la alcaldesa de Lo\u00edza Julia Nazario.\n\n\u201cDesde el inicio del cuatrienio hemos estado fiscalizando la crisis de agua y energ\u00eda, denunciando la falta de uso de fondos para la AAA y las malas negociaciones con Genera, New Fortress y Power Expectations. Si el gobierno hubiera atendido nuestras investigaciones desde mayo de 2025, no estar\u00edamos pasando por este bochorno. Nos hemos unido a cada petici\u00f3n del Comisionado Residente, pero han ca\u00eddo en o\u00eddos sordos. Reiteramos que el Senado debe convocar una Comisi\u00f3n Total para exigir cuentas sobre la generaci\u00f3n temporera y los problemas de agua, donde la verdadera sequ\u00eda ha sido la mala gerencia del gobierno\u201d, manifest\u00f3 el portavoz del PPD en el Senado, Luis Javier Hern\u00e1ndez\n\nPor su parte, el portavoz de la C\u00e1mara de Representantes H\u00e9ctor Ferrer destac\u00f3 el impacto al bolsillo de los puertorrique\u00f1os: \u201cLa sequ\u00eda est\u00e1 golpeando el bolsillo del puertorrique\u00f1o. Lo responsable es solicitar, tal como lo recomend\u00f3 nuestro Comisionado, al Presidente de los Estados Unidos una declaraci\u00f3n de emergencia. La Gobernadora no puede continuar tratando esto como un asunto secundario\u201d, subray\u00f3 Ferrer Santiago al tiempo en que insisti\u00f3 en la renuncia del director de la Autoridad de Acueductos y Alcantarillados Luis Gonz\u00e1lez Delgado.\n\n###\n\nHern\u00e1ndez Unveils Agenda in Congress to Tackle Puerto Rico\u2019s Water and Energy Crises\n\nHern\u00e1ndez will push to expand USDA\u2019s drought disaster designation to additional municipalities and seek an investigation into Puerto Rico\u2019s temporary power generation contract.\n\nSAN JUAN, Puerto Rico \u2014 Puerto Rico\u2019s Resident Commissioner Pablo Jos\u00e9 Hern\u00e1ndez outlined a five-point agenda to address Puerto Rico\u2019s water and energy crises as he returns to Washington following the congressional district work period.\n\n\u201cI\u2019m returning to Washington with a clear agenda: I\u2019m going to prioritize the basics: water and energy,\u201d Hern\u00e1ndez said. \u201cBefore we talk about economic development, attracting investment, or saying Puerto Rico is open for business, we have to prioritize the basics.\u201d\n\nAs he returns to Washington, Hern\u00e1ndez said he will remain focused on water and energy through the following five actions:\n\nSeek a formal congressional investigation into the Power Expectations scandal involving a multibillion-dollar temporary power generation contract.\n\nDemand direct answers from the federal energy czar and the president of the Third-Party Procurement Office (3PPO), the independent entity that oversaw the procurement process, regarding allegations of a cover-up surrounding the Power Expectations controversy.\n\nPress the Senate to preserve Puerto Rico\u2019s priorities in the Water Resources Development Act, including up to $75 million for water infrastructure projects, after securing those provisions in the House version of the bill.\n\nFollow up on the Government Accountability Office (GAO) investigation into how billions of dollars in federal funding for Puerto Rico\u2019s water systems have been used and why the island still lacks reliable water service.\n\nContinue pressing for a Major Disaster Declaration and for USDA to expand its drought disaster designation to additional municipalities in Puerto Rico.\n\nHern\u00e1ndez also highlighted the steps he has taken over the past month to address Puerto Rico\u2019s water crisis:\n\nAugust 7 \u2014 Unveiled a five-point federal action plan and, for the first time, called on the governor to request a Major Disaster Declaration.\n\nAugust 11 \u2014 Joined members of Congress in calling on the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the management of $9 billion in federal funding for Puerto Rico\u2019s water system.\n\nAugust 13 \u2014 Led a letter with 25 members of Congress urging Gov. Jenniffer Gonz\u00e1lez-Col\u00f3n to formally request a Major Disaster Declaration.\n\nAugust 17 \u2014 His office demanded information from the Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority (PRASA) on water losses, which nearly 60% of the water the utility produces, delays in critical projects, and the use of available federal funds.\n\nAugust 21 \u2014 Led an effort with nine members of Congress calling on USDA to issue a drought disaster designation for Puerto Rico.\n\n\u201cOur efforts are producing results. On August 26, USDA issued a drought disaster designation for 26 municipalities in Puerto Rico, making emergency loans and other assistance available to affected farmers. We also secured 11 Puerto Rico priorities in the House-passed Water Resources Development Act, including up to $75 million for water infrastructure projects,\u201d Hern\u00e1ndez added.\n\nHern\u00e1ndez was joined by Puerto Rico Senate PPD Minority Leader Luis Javier Hern\u00e1ndez; Puerto Rico House PPD Minority Leader H\u00e9ctor Ferrer; Naguabo Mayor Miraidaliz Rosario Pag\u00e1n; Lo\u00edza Mayor Julia Nazario; and Juncos Mayor Alfredo \u201cPapo\u201d Alejandro, who joined his call for answers and greater federal oversight of the water and energy crises affecting their communities.\n\nThe mayors of Naguabo and Lo\u00edza, two municipalities particularly affected by water shortages and unreliable service, also expressed support for Hern\u00e1ndez\u2019s efforts.\n\n\u201cIt is unacceptable that millions of dollars in federal funding have been allocated for infrastructure projects while bureaucracy continues to delay their implementation. I thank the Resident Commissioner for coming to Naguabo to see this situation firsthand. We strongly support his call for USDA to extend its drought disaster designation to additional municipalities affected by this crisis, as well as his call for a thorough investigation into the temporary power generation contract. Our families cannot continue bearing the consequences of government inefficiency,\u201dsaid Naguabo Mayor Miraidaliz Rosario Pag\u00e1n.\n\n\u201cWe appreciate the Resident Commissioner\u2019s efforts and his presence in our municipalities to see the seriousness of this situation firsthand. The lack of reliable water and electricity affects businesses, tourism and the well-being of our residents, something our community team sees every day. We fully support his agenda in Washington to extend drought assistance to more municipalities in need and to ensure accountability over the concerns surrounding the temporary power generation contract,\u201d said Lo\u00edza Mayor Julia Nazario.\n\nThe minority leaders of Puerto Rico\u2019s Popular Democratic Party (PPD) in the island\u2019s Senate and House of Representatives also backed Hern\u00e1ndez\u2019s push for greater oversight and federal action\n\n\u201cSince the beginning of this term, we have been conducting oversight of Puerto Rico\u2019s water and energy crises, raising concerns about the use of federal funds for PRASA and the government\u2019s agreements with Genera, New Fortress and Power Expectations. Had the government acted on the issues we began investigating in May 2025, Puerto Rico would not be facing this situation today. We have supported each of the Resident Commissioner\u2019s requests, but they have gone unanswered. We again call on the Senate to convene a Committee of the Whole to demand answers on temporary power generation and the island\u2019s water problems. The real drought has been a drought of effective government management,\u201d said PPD Senate Minority Leader Luis Javier Hern\u00e1ndez.\n\nPPD House Minority Leader H\u00e9ctor Ferrer, meanwhile, emphasized the financial impact on Puerto Rican families. \u201cThe drought is hitting Puerto Ricans in their pocketbooks. The responsible course of action is to request a presidential disaster declaration, as our Resident Commissioner has recommended. The governor cannot continue treating this as a secondary issue,\u201d Ferrer Santiago said, while reiterating his call for the resignation of Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority Executive President Luis Gonz\u00e1lez Delgado.\n\n###", 1, "2026-08-31T11:22:56Z", "2026-08-31T11:24:00Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://hernandez.house.gov/media/press-releases/hernandez-unveils-agenda-congress-tackle-puerto-ricos-water-and-energy-crises"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.7721632719039917, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}