Sustainable, Democratic Energy and Public Health

The document features presentations by Ruth Santiago and Dr. Greg Guannel on enhancing coastal resilience in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Santiago argues against rebuilding the existing fossil-fuel-based power grid in Puerto Rico, proposing instead a transition to 'energy democracy' via rooftop solar and community-led energy systems. Dr. Guannel describes the update of the U.S. Virgin Islands' Hazard Mitigation Plan, emphasizing that resilience requires a holistic approach that combines physical infrastructure with social networks and natural systems, such as mangroves and aquifers, to protect the tourism-based economy and public health.

• Puerto Rico's energy system is heavily dependent on fossil fuels, with natural gas currently serving as the largest fuel source, while renewables account for only approximately 2.3 to 2.5 percent of the energy mix.
• The AES coal-burning power plant in Puerto Rico has contaminated the South Coast Aquifer by leaking heavy metals from coal ash waste stored on-site.
• The 'We Want Sun' (Queremos Sol) proposal advocates for a transition to energy democracy in Puerto Rico, prioritizing rooftop solar, battery storage, and energy efficiency over the reconstruction of centralized fossil fuel plants.
• In the U.S. Virgin Islands, a significant portion of critical infrastructure is located in high-risk zones, with over 45 percent of government buildings situated in flood and tsunami zones and more than 40 percent of all buildings in extremely high wind zones.
• The U.S. Virgin Islands is updating its Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP) to move beyond a sole focus on physical infrastructure, incorporating social infrastructure and natural systems to enhance overall resilience.
• Natural infrastructure, such as mangroves and coral reefs, provides essential ecosystem services including wave attenuation, storm surge reduction, and the support of fisheries, which are critical for the U.S. Virgin Islands' tourism-dependent economy.

APA

Environmental and Energy Study Institute (2020). Sustainable, Democratic Energy and Public Health. https://www.eesi.org/files/transcript_060420.pdf

Chicago

Environmental and Energy Study Institute. Sustainable, Democratic Energy and Public Health. 2020. https://www.eesi.org/files/transcript_060420.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Environmental and Energy Study Institute |title=Sustainable, Democratic Energy and Public Health |date=June 2020 |url=https://www.eesi.org/files/transcript_060420.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{environmentalandenergystudyinstitute2020sustainable, author = {{Environmental and Energy Study Institute}}, title = {{Sustainable, Democratic Energy and Public Health}}, institution = {Environmental and Energy Study Institute}, year = {2020}, month = jun, url = {https://www.eesi.org/files/transcript_060420.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }