Ruth Santiago to Discuss Puerto Rico Energy Crisis at Eastern

WILLIMANTIC, CT (10/19/2018) The energy crisis in Puerto Rico post Hurricane Maria will be in discussion at Eastern Connecticut State University next Wednesday, Oct. 24, at 3 p.m. in the Student Center Theatre. Climate advocate and attorney Ruth Santiago will present "Energy Generation and Democracy in Puerto Rico"; Santiago will discuss recovery plans and the need for sustainable solutions. The public is invited to attend this University Hour event.

Hurricane María struck Puerto Rico one year ago, leaving behind immense human suffering and economic turmoil. Among other things, the catastrophe exposed the lack of maintenance to the island's electric grid as well as a lack of environmental planning. Puerto Rican residents are concerned with the likelihood that electric companies will not support necessary changes, such as programs for energy-demand management, promotion of ratepayer energy efficiency, and renewable energy generation and storage.

Santiago's presentation will emphasize that the proposed recovery plan should transform Puerto Rico's grid with rooftop solar communities that pool available resources to operate as micro-grids. The event is sponsored by Eastern's Latin American and Caribbean Studies Program, Intercultural Center, Arthur L. Johnson Unity Wing and Institute for Sustainable Energy. For more information, contact Anthropology Professor Ricardo Pérez at PerezR@easternct.edu.

Written by Michael Rouleau

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Eastern Connecticut State University is the state of Connecticut's public liberal arts university, serving more than 5,300 students annually at its Willimantic campus and satellite locations. In addition to attracting students from 163 of Connecticut's 169 towns, Eastern also draws students from 26 other states and 20 other countries. A residential campus offering 40 majors and 65 minors, Eastern offers students a strong liberal art foundation grounded in an array of applied learning opportunities. Ranked the 25th top public university in the North Region by U.S. News and World Report in its 2018 Best College ratings, Eastern has also been awarded 'Green Campus' status by the Princeton Review eight years in a row. For more information, visit www.easternct.edu.

It is the policy of Eastern Connecticut State University to ensure equal access to its events. If you are an individual with a disability and will need accommodations for this event, please contact the Office of University Relations at (860) 465-5735.