Congress needs to fund the construction of a new electrical power grid in Puerto Rico, which was ravaged by the passing of Hurricane María last September. The powerful winds of this category 4 storm destroyed completely our electrical infrastructure. So much was damaged that even today, more than a month and half after the event, only about 35 percent of the island has electricity.

Because of Puerto Rico’s geographical location – its proximity to the path taken my most of the Atlantic Basin storms -- there’s a need to develop a state-of-the art electrical system that can sustain winds upwards of 150 miles per hour and that could be repaired in quick order if it goes down. Currently, our government does not have the resources nor capital to undertake even the startup to this massive, yet necessary effort. We need assistance from the federal government.

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Why should Congress fund this job? Simply, more than a century of colonial rule has granted us the right to request that help and our status as U.S. citizens has accentuated it. We cannot, and should not expect anything less than the full support of the federal government in our reconstruction efforts.

Congress is currently funding thousands of programs aimed at developing new energy technologies, as well as new, more efficient grids.

In April 2016, Congress approved the first major energy bill since 2004, allocating more than $10,000 million to speed up construction of energy infrastructure, upgrade parts of the electrical grid, and boost energy efficiency in buildings, among other things. A similar piece of legislation could be approved this year, putting us on par with the states.

Our Island operates what is basically a central-controlled system, designed in the mid-to-late 1950s around major generation plants in the south providing power to our capital and the metropolitan area, which is the most populated sector in Puerto Rico. That grid, which once upon a time managed to spearhead our industrial revolution, has not been upgraded, significantly, since the early 1970s. We are dealing with an obsolete electrical platform destroyed by one of the most powerful hurricanes ever to hit any U.S. jurisdiction.

For years experts have stated that the island need a decentralized system, sort-of mini-grids, which will isolate damage areas and will help us maintain electrical power in areas less affected by natural disasters. Those smaller grids can be developed now, in the middle of the work being done to lift the current system. With Washington’s help, the territory could become energy-diverse. It will also help Congress save money in case we are again struck by a major hurricane because there will not be that much to repair.

As it did in 2016, Congress must pass a supplemental bill assigning resources to the restoration and reconstruction of Puerto Rico’s power grid. This will send a message to the nation, as well as to the world, that America treats its citizens equally no matter where they are.

Jose Aponte-Hernandez is a state representative in Puerto Rico and is the former Speaker of the House for the territory.