Attorney General James’ Statement on Relief Efforts for Puerto Rico

NEW YORK – New York Attorney General Letitia James today released the following statement on the ongoing relief efforts for Puerto Rico following Hurricane Fiona:

“The Biden administration’s decision to temporarily waive the Jones Act to allow critical resources to get to Puerto Rico is an important step in accelerating recovery efforts. I have previously called for this action because Puerto Ricans are in desperate need of aid and this outdated law is posing additional and unnecessary burdens during this challenging time. We need long-term solutions to help our fellow American citizens in Puerto Rico. That includes exempting Puerto Rico from the Jones Act for the maximum allowable period to get critical supplies to those in need, launching a federal investigation into LUMA Energy, and facilitating meaningful investment that helps to create a more equitable and stable future for Puerto Ricans.”

Last week, Attorney General James called for a federal investigation into the energy situation in Puerto Rico, and specifically, the energy provider LUMA Energy. Five years after Hurricanes Irma and Maria wreaked havoc on Puerto Rico, and after billions of federal dollars were spent to modernize and strengthen the island’s electrical grid, residents continue to endure frequent outages and high electricity rates. These issues were exacerbated by the impact of Hurricane Fiona, which caused an island-wide blackout.