Sec. 503. Critical projects

612 words·~3 min read·/bill/114/hr/4900/ih/section-503

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Any project sponsor may submit, so long as the Oversight Board is in operation, any existing, ongoing, or proposed project to the Revitalization Coordinator. The Revitalization Coordinator shall require such submission to include— the impact the project will have on an emergency; the availability of immediate private capital or other funds, including, loan guarantees, loans, or grants, to implement, operate, or maintain the project; environmental and economic benefits provided by the project, including the number of jobs to be created; the status of the project if it is existing or ongoing; and in addition to the requirements found in subparagraphs

(A)through (D), the Revitalization Coordinator may request an Energy Project proponent to address how the project will— reduce reliance on oil for electric generation in Puerto Rico; improve performance of energy infrastructure and overall energy efficiency; expedite the diversification and conversion of fuel sources for electric generation from oil to natural gas, and renewables in Puerto Rico; promote the development and utilization of energy sources found on Puerto Rico; contribute to transitioning to privatized generation capacities in Puerto Rico; lower energy costs for rate payers and increase the availability of affordable energy; and achieve in whole or in part the recommendations of the study in section 505(d) of this title. Within 20 days of receiving a project submission under paragraph (1), the Revitalization Coordinator shall, in consultation with the Governor, identify all Puerto Rico Agencies that will have a role in the permitting, approval, authorizing, or other activity related to the development of such project submission. Not later than 20 days after receiving a project submission, each Puerto Rico Agency identified in paragraph

(1)shall submit to the Revitalization Coordinator the Agency’s Expedited Permitting Process. If a Puerto Rico Agency fails to provide an Expedited Permitting Process within 20 days of receiving a project submission, the Revitalization Coordinator shall— consult with the Governor to develop within 20 days an Expedited Permitting Process for the Agency; and require such Puerto Rico Agency to implement the Expedited Permitting Process developed under clause

(i)for Critical Projects. For each submitted project, the Revitalization Coordinator in consultation with the Governor and relevant Puerto Rico Agencies identified in subsection (a)(2) shall develop a Critical Project Report within 60 days of the identification of relevant Puerto Rico Agencies under subsection (a)(2), which shall include: An assessment of how well the project meets the criteria in subsection (a)(1). A recommendation by the Governor on whether the project should be considered a Critical Project. If the Governor fails to provide a recommendation, the failure shall constitute a concurrence with the Revitalization Coordinator’s recommendation in subparagraph (D). In the case of an Energy Project that will connect with the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority's transmission or distribution facilities, a recommendation by the Energy Commission of Puerto Rico. If no such recommendation is provided, such failure shall constitute a concurrence with the Revitalization Coordinator's recommendation in subparagraph (D). A recommendation by the Revitalization Coordinator on whether the project should be considered a Critical Project. Not later than 5 days after finalizing a Critical Project Report, the Revitalization Coordinator shall submit it to the Oversight Board. Not later than 30 days after receiving the Critical Project Report, the Oversight Board, by majority vote, shall approve or disapprove the project as a Critical Project, if the Oversight Board— approves the project, the project shall be deemed a Critical Project; disapproves the project, the Oversight Board shall submit to the Revitalization Coordinator in writing the reasons for disapproval; and fails to act and the Revitalization Coordinator had recommended the project be deemed a Critical Project, then the project shall be deemed a Critical Project.