puerto rico street
Credit: SFLAD/Pixabay

Puerto Rico commits to solar incentives as mainland states pull back

Puerto Rico extends solar incentives while other states reduce them, showcasing commitment to renewable energy.

Gabriela Aoun Angueira reports for Grist.


In short:

  • Puerto Rico is maintaining its solar energy credits, diverging from the trend of states like California and Arkansas reducing such incentives.
  • The decision supports the island's ambitious clean energy goals and enhance energy security, especially in the face of frequent power outages.
  • This policy has garnered unanimous political support.

Key quote:

"It is our responsibility to promote the transformation of our electricity system and promote any initiative that aims to avoid: the excessive dependence on fossil fuels, environmental pollution and increasing the effects of climate change."

— Puerto Rican Law on solar energy incentives

Why this matters:

Puerto Rico's steadfast support for solar incentives not only aligns with broader environmental goals but also addresses the immediate need for energy resilience in disaster-prone areas, directly impacting health and safety outcomes.

LISTEN: Daniel Carrión on the "heat stroke or go broke" dilemma

a person in a boat in the water at sunset with birds flying overhead.

Federal judge orders closure of Everglades ICE detention site built without tribal consent

A federal judge has ordered the shutdown of a controversial Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention center in the Florida Everglades after ruling that the U.S. government failed to consult the nearby Miccosukee Tribe or conduct a required environmental review.

Miacel Spotted Elk reports for Grist.

Keep reading...Show less
man running on road near grass field

Climate change is reshaping outdoor life as Americans feel the heat

Extreme heat is forcing changes to outdoor recreation across the U.S., and it's also shifting public perception, with more Americans now linking rising temperatures to climate change.

Terry L. Jones reports for Floodlight.

Keep reading...Show less
White sheet leaning against desk with chalkboard in the background with the numbers 2+2=5.

Trump administration faces backlash over efforts to weaken climate science finding

The Trump administration's attempt to revoke a key federal finding that climate change threatens public health is drawing sharp criticism from scientists who say the supporting reports distort or misuse scientific research.

Seth Borenstein and Michael Phillis, report for The Associated Press.

Keep reading...Show less
Barber Shop located in Ninth Ward, New Orleans, Louisiana, damaged by Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

Disaster aid cuts raise fears of post-Katrina failures as hurricane risks grow

A generation after Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans, survivors and experts warn that sweeping cuts to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) under President Trump could leave the U.S. dangerously unprepared for future climate-driven disasters.

Dharna Noor reports for The Guardian.

Keep reading...Show less
A blackened shell of a burned home.

Residents near Lahaina wildfire zone show signs of toxic exposure despite official cleanup

A year after the Army Corps declared Lahaina’s burn zone safe, new research finds fire survivors living or working nearby are more likely to show signs of long-term exposure to heavy metals.

Erin Nolan reports for Honolulu Civil Beat.

Keep reading...Show less
A river running through Yosemite park with half dome in the background.

Trump-era staff cuts strain Yosemite rangers as summer crowds surge

Yosemite National Park is facing record summer crowds with hundreds fewer staffers on hand, as Trump administration workforce reductions ripple through park operations.

Heather Richards reports for E&E News.

Keep reading...Show less
Two people installing a solar panel on a roof.

U.S. solar construction surges ahead of looming policy shift

Solar developers are rushing to complete a record number of projects in 2025 before new Trump administration policies scale back support for clean energy.

Julian Spector reports for Canary Media.

Keep reading...Show less
From our Newsroom
Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

One facility has emitted cancer-causing chemicals into waterways at levels up to 520% higher than legal limits.

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

"The reality is, we are not exposed to one chemical at a time.”

Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro speaks with the state flag and American flag behind him.

Two years into his term, has Gov. Shapiro kept his promises to regulate Pennsylvania’s fracking industry?

A new report assesses the administration’s progress and makes new recommendations

silhouette of people holding hands by a lake at sunset

An open letter from EPA staff to the American public

“We cannot stand by and allow this to happen. We need to hold this administration accountable.”

wildfire retardants being sprayed by plane

New evidence links heavy metal pollution with wildfire retardants

“The chemical black box” that blankets wildfire-impacted areas is increasingly under scrutiny.

Stay informed: sign up for The Daily Climate newsletter
Top news on climate impacts, solutions, politics, drivers. Delivered to your inbox week days.