A community in Puerto Rico is advocating for the adoption of rooftop solar panels as a sustainable energy solution as old fossil-fuel power plants near retirement.
Esther Frances reports for Inside Climate News.
In short:
- Residents of Guayama and Salinas face health risks from local coal and oil power plants, spurring interest in renewable energy alternatives.
- The federal government allocated $440 million for rooftop solar projects in Puerto Rico to help transition to renewable energy.
- Local initiatives like Coquí Solar support vulnerable communities by providing affordable solar kits to ensure power during blackouts.
Key quote:
"For too long, communities in Puerto Rico have suffered untold inequities — from challenges with access to clean drinking water to fragile infrastructure that cannot withstand the increase and intensity of storms brought on by climate change."
— Michael Regan, EPA Administrator
Why this matters:
As the detrimental effects of traditional power sources become increasingly evident, solar, wind, and other sustainable alternatives are seen not just as energy solutions but as essential steps toward health and environmental preservation.
Swapping out coal energy for solar would prevent 52,000 premature deaths in the United States every year.
