By The Star Staff
Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA) Executive Director Josué A. Colón Ortiz and Brig. Gen. Daniel Hibner, the commander of the South Atlantic Division of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), have signed a memorandum of understanding to support the public corporation in the development and management of dam, reservoir, irrigation canal, and hydroelectric generation infrastructure projects funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
“The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers possesses the technical capability, equipment, personnel, and extensive experience in these systems, as well as the expertise to develop these types of projects,” Colón Ortiz said in a statement from Dvids.
The PREPA chief noted that the collaborative agreement with USACE is the first for the newly established Caribbean District, which will handle projects in the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. The agreement is set to last for 10 years and includes services such as planning, engineering, design, construction, permitting, and project management as required by PREPA.
“Securing the services of USACE ensures that the public corporation will execute projects in compliance with the latest industry standards, technology, and procedures of the relevant federal agencies,” Colón Ortiz emphasized.
Hibner noted that the agreement establishes a clear regulatory framework that will define the roles and responsibilities of both entities in the projects.
“The projects to be conducted under this agreement are designed to enhance the quality of life for the residents of Puerto Rico,” he said. “USACE will provide our resources, knowledge, and expertise to ensure that these projects are completed in an efficient and effective manner.”
Following Hurricane Maria in 2017, PREPA requested FEMA’s assistance to execute infrastructure repair projects for water and hydroelectric systems totaling over $2 billion. Among the potential work covered by the agreement are improvements to dams, dredging of bodies of water, and repairs to water supply systems for hydroelectric plants, among others.
Priority issues will include upgrades to the Patillas Dam, which provides potable water for 100,000 residents in the area and supplies water to the AES power plant and the public irrigation system from Patillas to Salinas.
The Guayabal Dam between Villalba and Juana Díaz is another priority project. The concrete structure is intended to supply the public irrigation system between Juana Díaz and Salinas and to the Puerto Rico Aqueducts and Sewer Authority filtration plant in Coto Laurel, Ponce.
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