HUD has published a Federal Register notice governing the use of the $2 billion Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) allocation for enhanced or improved electrical power systems in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) appropriated by the Further Additional Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Requirements Act, 2018 (Public Law 115–123, approved February 9, 2018). The Appropriations Act made available nearly $28 billion in CDBG-DR funds. Of this amount, HUD allocated $10.03 billion for the purpose of addressing unmet needs from disasters that occurred in 2017, $15.9 billion for mitigation activities, and $2 billion for electrical power system enhancements and improvements for Puerto Rico and the USVI.

In 86 FR 32681, HUD establishes requirements for the $2 billion in CDBG-DR funds for the necessary expenses of electrical power system enhancements and improvements in the most impacted and distressed area as defined by HUD and as previously identified in the allocation methodology published by HUD in the August 14, 2018 Federal Register (83 FR 40314, 40323). These CDBG-DR funds provide a unique and significant opportunity for Puerto Rico and the USVI to carry out strategic and high-impact activities to address necessary expenses from the damage caused by Hurricane Maria; mitigate disaster risks to their electrical power systems; improve system reliability, resiliency, efficiency, and sustainability; and address each system’s long-term financial viability.

View 86 FR 32681 - CDBG-DR Electrical Power Systems Notice for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.