A San Juan, Puerto Rico, resident was named the director for the new Puerto Rico Grid Modernization and Recovery Team, led by the U.S. Department of Energy.
Agustín Carbó was the previous director for energy transition with the Environmental Defense Fund, according to a Nov. 2 news release. U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm made the announcement at the sixth annual Solar + Energy Storage Association of Puerto Rico Summit in San Juan.
“It is simply unacceptable that in the 21st century, Puerto Ricans continue to bear the burden of an unreliable electrical grid because of obstacles to needed investments and delays to essential improvements,” Granholm said in the release. “I am proud announce that Agustín Carbó, a son of Puerto Rico, has been selected to lead the grid recovery and modernization work on the island to help cut through unnecessary implementation barriers so that we can swiftly deliver a resilient and secure grid Puerto Ricans deserve.”
The team was formed in October following Hurricane Fiona to aid Puerto Rico in rebuilding an upgraded electricity grid, the release reported.
Carbó was the first chairman of the Puerto Rico Energy Commission — now the Puerto Rico Energy Bureau — and executive director of the Puerto Rico Solid Waste Authority and assistant regional counsel at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in Dallas, Texas, the release said.
“@SecGranholm announces Agustín Carbó as Director of @POTUS ' Puerto Rico Grid Modernization Team. This team will work closely w/ local leaders to overcome obstacles blocking deployment of critical infrastructure + accelerate delivery of clean energy,” ENERGY Press Staff said on Twitter.
