Puerto Rico Control Board Sues Over Net Metering Law

The federal control board overseeing Puerto Rico's finances has filed a lawsuit against amendments to the island's net metering law, which compensates solar-equipped households for their contributions to the grid, leading to considerable backlash. The board argues that the lawsuit is crucial for maintaining the independence of the Puerto Rico Energy Bureau, allowing it to operate free from political influence, and assures that it does not intend to eliminate net metering or alter the current rooftop solar program. The lawsuit follows an April order for Governor Pedro Pierluisi and the legislature to amend the law, which restricts changes to the net metering program until 2031 and mandates adherence to current terms for 20 more years. Critics express concern that high net metering rates could encourage customers to switch to distributed generation, adversely affecting the revenues of the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority, which is already struggling with over $9 billion in debt. A spokeswoman for Pierluisi stated that he is reviewing the lawsuit and will respond soon. The outcome of this legal challenge could have significant implications for renewable energy initiatives and the financial stability of Puerto Rico's energy sector.