April 30, 2025 – La Fortaleza, San Juan, Puerto Rico – Governor Jenniffer González-Colón emphasized the importance of the recent visit of Mr. Cameron Hamilton, Senior Official Performing the Duties of FEMA Administrator, to Puerto Rico. Hamilton was accompanied by staff from FEMA Headquarters and Region 2. The group assessed the progress made by current reconstruction work leading to the 2025 hurricane season, held multiple discussions on energy matters that included a site visit to an energy generation plant, as well as issues focused on enhancing collaboration between federal agencies and the Government of Puerto Rico.
Federal officials met with FEMA staff based on the Island, COR3 team members, and Energy Czar Josué Colón. While at La Fortaleza, the group met with Energy Czar Josué Colón, Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA) Director Mary Zapata, Secretary of Public Safety Arturo Garffer, Commissioner of the Bureau for Emergency Management and Disaster Administration Ángel Jiménez Colón, COR3 Executive Director Eduardo Soria, and Puerto Rico Fiscal Agency and Financial Advisory Authority Director and Chief of Staff to the Governor Francisco Domenech.
“Mr. Hamilton’s visit shows a strong commitment to our recovery process as we continue advancing reconstruction projects on the Island. This is extremely timely and significant, especially with the looming hurricane season. I look forward to strengthening our collaboration with FEMA, alongside Secretary Noem and the Trump Administration. My administration is and will continue using every resource available to accelerate this process.” Governor González-Colón said.
During a press conference, Hamilton stated, “Thank you very much for your hospitality, and to the incredible people of Puerto Rico, as well as our local officials here today—I cannot thank you enough for your time. We spent a wonderful morning discussing energy issues, specifically power plants and generators. Energy is the key issue that drives progress in so many other areas. The Trump administration hired me to cut through bureaucracy, and I give you my word that we are going to cut that bureaucracy. We will move as fast as humanly possible, because the American people—and particularly the people of Puerto Rico—deserve complete confidence in this process. You have my full commitment and unwavering stance: we are here to be your partners.
Since taking office, Governor González-Colón has held meetings with more than a dozen cabinet secretaries and senior officials from President Trump’s administration. These interactions have been key to strengthen ties between Puerto Rico and federal agencies, allowing us to establish a collaborative agenda focused on delivering tangible results for the Island.
González-Colón explained the importance of retaining federal funds already allocated—many of which she helped secure as a Member of Congress—and ensuring they finally reach and improve communities. She stressed how her administration is fully committed to a structural overhaul that would help meet one of Puerto Rico’s most urgent challenges, the transformation of its energy system.
“Energy is essential to our Island’s economic development. We’re making key decisions to rebuild a resilient and modern energy system, which will require federal and state collaboration, smart investment, and a clear vision. This is what we’re putting in place as we prepare for Summer and hurricane season,” she said.
The Governor thanked Mr. Hamilton and the FEMA team for their visit and reaffirmed her commitment: “My priority is for every community to see results, for every project to start and finish, and for every dollar allocated to translate into real progress. That is my promise as Governor—and together with the federal government, we will deliver,” she said.
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