Hamm will be presenting on the importance of having a transparent roadmap for transformation at the Puerto Rico Grid Revitalization and Investment Summit, May 8-9, in San Juan.

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Following the recent blackouts on Puerto Rico, Julia Hamm, President and CEO of the Smart Electric Power Alliance (SEPA), has released the following statement.

"These power outages are painful and frustrating reminders of the fragility of Puerto Ricos electricity system and the islands urgent need for a reliable and resilient grid. With the Atlantic hurricane season approaching, we must ‘build back better, with a special focus on projects, such as microgrids, that ensure energy integrity to all Puerto Rican households and businesses, and bring economic certainty to the islands growing manufacturing sectors. A reliable energy infrastructure is critical to Puerto Ricos economic recovery. The challenges ahead will require the active engagement of all stakeholders on the island -- not only the policy makers and utilities, but the wider business community and local nonprofit organizations meeting the needs of underserved and remote communities. SEPA remains committed to the common vision of Puerto Rico as a living model for creating the clean, resilient and affordable grid of the future, and to serving as an added resource partner for such efforts."

Julia Hamm has been a leading voice for electric system transformation and resilience in Puerto Rico. She is a member of the Transformation Advisory Council working with the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA), and was on the Steering Committee of the Puerto Rico Energy Resiliency Working Group, which produced the "Building Back Better" report in December 2017.

Hamm will be presenting on the importance of having a transparent roadmap for transformation at the Puerto Rico Grid Revitalization and Investment Summit, May 8-9, in San Juan.


About SEPA
The Smart Electric Power Alliance (SEPA) is an educational nonprofit working to facilitate the utility industrys transition to a clean energy future through education, research, standards and collaboration. SEPA offers a range of research initiatives and resources, as well as conferences, educational events and professional networking opportunities. SEPA is founder and co-sponsor of Solar Power International and winner of the Keystone Policy Centers 2016 Leadership in Energy Award. For more information, visit www.sepapower.org.