Puerto Rico facing record-breaking heat 

The National Weather Service reported that Puerto Rico endured temperatures that felt as high as 125 degrees over the past week. While maximum temperatures were reported around the mid-90s, the heat index reached the 120s, particularly in northern towns. Scientists say this was a result of a low-pressure system near Florida and a high-pressure system near Puerto Rico that created a “heat dome.” As a result, electricity demand has increased and the power grid is being pushed to the limit. More than 40,000 people lost power last Monday when a power plant went out of service. The Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA) said that it is working on repairs and improvements, but they will take some time. Luma Energy has urged residents to do their best to conserve energy. The National Weather Service expects the heat dome to last at least through the middle of this week.

Puerto Rican government sues 20 US companies for PFAS contamination 

The Puerto Rican government has filed a lawsuit against 20 companies for allegedly contaminating the Island’s natural resources with toxic per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The government claims the corporations, which include some of the largest companies in the world such as 3M and DuPont, “designed, manufactured, marketed, distributed, and sold” a wide variety of products containing toxic substances that put Puerto Ricans’ health at risk. Products with PFAS include such well-known brands as Teflon and Scotchgard. PFAS can remain in the environment for hundreds, if not thousands, of years.

Army Corps of Engineers soliciting bids for Puerto Rican power system contracts

The United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) will soon issue a solicitation for a $5 billion contract for temporary power augmentation and electrical grid repair in Puerto Rico. They are looking for contractors that can provide operation and maintenance services, among others, in coordination with PREPA and Luma Energy. The work and funds will be distributed over a five-year period. The hope is that these funds will stabilize the grid for the long-haul as projects continue to rebuild Puerto Rico’s infrastructure following years of natural disasters and decades of underfunding and neglect.