In a recent government meeting, significant concerns were raised regarding the ongoing recovery efforts for Puerto Rico's electrical grid, particularly in light of the absence of key witnesses from the Biden administration. The committee emphasized that this absence would not exempt the administration from accountability, pledging to send written questions to ensure transparency and oversight.

A focal point of the discussion was the staggering $1.2 billion authorized by FEMA to clear 16,000 miles of transmission lines, a task deemed essential for maintaining the electrical infrastructure. Committee members expressed frustration over the apparent inefficiency and high costs associated with federal recovery efforts. One member highlighted that the proposed expenditure of $12,000 per acre for clearing right-of-ways starkly contrasts with estimates from tribal forestry leaders, who suggested that the actual cost should not exceed $2,000 per acre.

The meeting underscored the urgent need for reform in federal disaster response, with members calling for a more effective allocation of resources to ensure that the people of Puerto Rico receive reliable electrical power. The session transitioned to a second panel of witnesses, including local officials and energy executives, who were invited to provide insights into the recovery process and the challenges faced in rebuilding the island's electrical grid.

Manuel Laboy Rivera, executive director of the Central Office for Recovery, Reconstruction, and Resiliency, noted that the recovery from hurricanes Irma and Maria represents the largest and most complex recovery effort in U.S. history, with nearly $1.9 billion in FEMA funding already expended. The committee's discussions reflect a growing urgency to address bureaucratic inefficiencies and ensure that recovery efforts are both effective and accountable.