DNER clears emergency generators for use at critical facilities
- The San Juan Daily Star
- Apr 3
- 2 min read
By The Star Staff
Natural and Environmental Resources (DNER) Secretary Waldemar Quiles Pérez on Wednesday announced Administrative Order 2025-03, effective immediately, which temporarily authorizes the use of emergency power generators at previously authorized critical facilities during repair work on the power generation infrastructure.
“With this action, we are proactively addressing the potential impact that power outages may have on key sectors for health, education, food security, and the economy,” Quiles said in a written statement. “It is a measure that protects the public without compromising environmental responsibility.”
“Facilities covered by this order must operate within the limits established in their permits and comply with all applicable environmental regulations,” he added. “Those classified under the Title V program or as synthetic sources must consult with the Environmental Protection Agency if their operations could exceed the permitted emission thresholds.”
According to a communication from the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA) to the DNER, several generating units are out of service due to delays in maintenance and repair plans under the management of Genera Puerto Rico.
Likewise, PREPA emphasized that energy demand has been the highest on record over the past year, and that consumption is expected to remain stable or increase in the coming months. Given this situation, PREPA is forced to reduce energy availability for high-consumption customers as a measure to stabilize the system.
The order applies to facilities that already have an emission source permit approved by the DNER under the Regulations for the Control of Air Pollution. These include hospitals; pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and healthcare equipment manufacturing facilities; educational institutions such as schools and universities; food warehousing and distribution industries; aerospace manufacturing and programming industries; essential public services (drinking water, telecommunications, ports, wastewater and emergency response); supermarkets; restaurants; shopping centers; and tourism industries.
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