Jenniffer González-Colón supports two bills from Committee on Natural Resources that impact Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico Resident Commissioner Jenniffer González-Colón (NPP, R) spoke in the US House Floor today in support of on HR 6665, the Offshore Wind for Territories Act and HRes 792, which urges the Secretary of the Interior to recognize the historical significance of Roberto Clemente’s place of death near Piñones in Loíza, by adding it to the National Register of Historic Places as amended. González-Colón is a co-sponsor of both bills.

Puerto Rico has directly experienced the need to have a better energy infrastructure in place, with much higher reliance on renewable energy, to reduce environmental impact and increase efficiency.  Today, only 2% of its energy comes from renewables.

HR 6665 will direct the Department of the Interior to study the viability of Continental Shelf wind resources, offshore of the territories. If viable, then the Department will initiate the process to auction leasing rights, where 37.5% of the revenues will go to the territory for environmental mitigation uses and 12.5% reserved for Coral Reef protection.

The development of these energy resources will provide more funding for the territories to take their own measures for securing better environmental conditions.

González-Colón thanked the Delegate from Guam for this bill, her support for Puerto Rican statehood, and her legacy on behalf of equal treatment for the territories.

As part of her statement on the House Floor, the Resident Commissioner spoke in support of HRes 792  and the important legacy that Roberto Clemente brings to Puerto Rico:

“Mr. Speaker, today I rise to express my strong support for H.Res. 792 , introduced by my good friend, Congressman José Serrano.  This resolution would urge the Secretary of the Interior to recognize the historical significance of the place of death of Puerto Rican baseball star Roberto Clemente, located near Piñones in Loíza, Puerto Rico, by adding it to the National Register of Historic Places.

Roberto Clemente was a hero and role model in Puerto Rico and across the Nation.  Throughout his distinguished career, he won two Major League Baseball World Series Championships, was named World Series Most Valuable Player, and was an All-Star for 12 seasons. Clemente also served this Nation as a United States Marine Corps Reservist. 

Roberto Clemente was committed to caring and helping those in need, and in the aftermath of a devastating earthquake in 1972, decided to travel to Nicaragua to provide humanitarian aid.  His plane crashed shortly after departing Puerto Rico, and he tragically passed at the age of 38.

Clemente was a great humanitarian and athlete.  He was the embodiment of a baseball legend that contributed to the betterment of society.  I’m glad this House is honoring his legacy by considering House Resolution 792.  I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.”

As of publishing time, both HR 6665 and HRes 792 were on the House’s voting schedule, with at least HRes 792 looking likely to pass.