Why is Puerto Rico's energy system still struggling 7 years after Hurricane Maria, and how does territorial status make everything worse? In this episode of the Mano a Mano podcast, host George Laws Garcia sits down with Tom King, founder of the Borincana Foundation and Puerto Rico Energy Forum, to break down the island's complex energy crisis.

They explore the ongoing PREPA debt bankruptcy that's blocking billions in federal recovery funds, the reality behind Puerto Rico's energy privatization efforts, and why distributed solar has become both a solution and new challenge for the grid. Tom shares expert insights on fossil fuels and renewables are not mutually exclusive but are both needed to complement each other as Puerto Rico advances its energy transformation process, the recent Sunnova bankruptcy affecting thousands of Puerto Rican solar customers, and how property title issues still limit energy financing.

Most importantly, they discuss why Puerto Rico's territorial status creates systemic barriers to reliable energy and economic development - from limited access to capital markets to population decline that reduces the customer base needed to support grid investments.

In this episode:

• Why PREPA's debt crisis is blocking $12-19 billion in federal reconstruction funds
• The truth about Puerto Rico's energy "privatization"
• How 115,000 homes got solar despite grid challenges
• Why Sunnova's bankruptcy is challenging Puerto Rico's solar boom
• Property title problems blocking energy financing
• How territorial status infantilizes Puerto Rico's development
• Why statehood would help solve systemic energy investment barriers

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction

01:40 Tom King's Background and Involvement in Puerto Rico's Energy Sector

05:22 Current State of Puerto Rico's Energy System

06:49 Challenges and Controversies in Energy Privatization

10:38 Financial and Infrastructure Hurdles

15:05 Debate on Fuel Sources and Renewable Energy

23:07 Impact of Renewable Energy on the Grid

28:39 Population Decline and Political Status

30:49 Challenges of Puerto Rico's Energy System

31:16 The Impact of Puerto Rico's Territorial Status

32:02 Energy Costs and Stability in Puerto Rico

35:12 Property Title Issues and Economic Impact

38:24 Sunnova's Bankruptcy and Its Implications

44:54 Future of Puerto Rico's Energy Sector

53:37 Resources and Initiatives for Energy Development

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Produced by Caandor Labs.