AGP Executive Report

Puerto Rico Food Security: A University of Puerto Rico economist reports local farmers can match or beat import prices in 30 of 74 products, with local prices averaging 32.9% lower than supermarkets and 51.8% lower than direct-to-consumer outlets—pointing to where Puerto Rico can boost food self-sufficiency. Local Industry Expansion: Gov. Jenniffer González-Colón announced Chemical Solutions’ $6.5M expansion in Yabucoa, aimed at higher-capacity production of specialized lubricants and expected to create 90 jobs while expanding exports across the U.S., Caribbean, Mexico, Central America, and South America. Digital IDs in Puerto Rico: Apple Wallet driver’s license support is already live in 14 states and Puerto Rico, and more states are preparing launches, signaling continued growth of mobile government ID access. Health Tech Deal: Universal Health Services completed its $835M acquisition of Talkspace, keeping the Talkspace brand while linking virtual therapy to UHS’s inpatient behavioral health network. Energy & Grid Resilience: University of Maine researchers are using AI to help electric grids withstand cyberattacks, equipment failures, and extreme weather. Conservation Tech & Learning: Jacksonville Zoo invites K-12 students to design lanterns inspired by threatened species, including the Puerto Rican crested frog, blending STEM creativity with conservation. Mobile Preschool Streaming: HITN and Liberty Puerto Rico expanded Edye, a Spanish-language, ad-free preschool platform, to Liberty TV customers in Puerto Rico. Battery Storage Momentum: Global energy storage cell shipments nearly doubled in the first half of 2026, with lithium-iron phosphate chemistry dominating deployments.

Kids & Spanish-Language Media: HITN and Liberty Puerto Rico are bringing Edye, HITN’s ad-free preschool platform for ages 2–6, to Liberty TV customers for $2.99/month, with access via the Edye app and Liberty Go. Puerto Rico Healthcare Funding: A congressional briefing highlighted Medicaid’s special challenges in Puerto Rico, where current funding for 1.3M residents is set to expire Sept. 30, 2026. Puerto Rico Water & Grid Resilience: Coverage continues on the island’s drought-driven water rationing and ongoing pressure on the fragile electric grid, including recent battery-storage updates. Marine Tech & Research: A Florida Atlantic University study “eavesdropped” on dolphins using an acoustic recorder on a wave glider, mapping where whistles (socializing) and echolocation (hunting) concentrate along the coast. Space/GNSS Science: MIT researcher Anthea Coster was recognized for decades of GPS/GNSS work tied to space weather and atmospheric monitoring. Policy & Environment: Earthjustice sued the U.S. over plans to auction American Samoa seabed for deep-sea mining, arguing habitat and species protections weren’t properly addressed.

Puerto Rico Water & Energy: Puerto Rico’s fragile electric grid is getting a battery boost, as the island continues to manage outages and drought-driven strain. Marine Tech & Policy: NOAA is prioritizing commercial fishing profits while dismantling marine protections, raising alarms for endangered species and habitat safeguards. Ocean Conservation Fight: Earthjustice sued the U.S. to stop plans to auction huge areas of seabed around American Samoa for deep-sea mining, arguing the government isn’t meeting endangered-species and habitat duties. STEM Education: Society for Science selected 100 educators for its 2026–2027 Advocate Program, funding $326,000 to expand student research and science competitions. Local Science Research: A Florida Atlantic University team “eavesdropped” on dolphins using an acoustic recorder on a wave glider, finding different sound patterns for socializing vs hunting—plus new coastal hotspot clues. Health Policy: The American Academy of Pediatrics criticized a White House executive order that advises changing childhood vaccine timing without evidence.

Puerto Rico Grid Upgrade: The U.S. Department of Energy backed a nearly $490M loan for 220 MW of battery storage in Arecibo and Santa Isabel, aiming to support 100,000+ customers during outages—an urgent boost for Puerto Rico’s storm-worn, fragile electric system. Local Energy Oversight: A Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority contract tied to a Flotek Industries deal is under scrutiny after the Financial Oversight and Management Board revoked approval and ordered PREPA to terminate the agreement, with potential law-enforcement referrals. Water Crisis Tech & Response: Puerto Rico continues rationing water to about 180,000 properties amid drought, while relief efforts and calls for better water planning grow louder. STEM Education: Society for Science selected 100 educators for its 2026–2027 Advocate Program, investing $326,000 to expand student access to science research and competitions. Marine Conservation: Researchers are “snooping” on dolphins using an autonomous wave glider to map dolphin social and hunting sound patterns—data that could guide coastal habitat protection. Health Research: A study tracking adults with HIV across the U.S. and Puerto Rico found cannabis use linked to higher fall risk at first, but the association faded after accounting for other factors.

Puerto Rico Grid Resilience: The U.S. Department of Energy backed a nearly $490M loan for 220 MW of battery storage in Arecibo and Santa Isabel, aiming to support 100,000+ customers during outages and help stabilize the island’s stressed grid. Water Crisis Tech & Policy: Puerto Rico has started rotating 48-hour water shutoffs affecting about 180,000 properties as drought leaves the Carraízo reservoir nearly depleted, with residents lining up for tanker deliveries. PREPA Contract Fallout: Flotek Industries faces a shareholder investigation tied to its announced 10-year PREPA power project after Puerto Rico’s oversight board revoked approval and ordered termination, raising questions about what was disclosed to investors. STEM & Research Pipeline: AgCentric won an NSF supplement ($129,579) to expand agricultural robotics and automation curriculum testing and educator training, including a food-processing field test in 2027. Health & Aging Research: A study using a Puerto Rico-linked HIV aging cohort found cannabis use was initially linked to higher fall risk, but the association weakened after adjusting for other factors.

Water Crisis in Puerto Rico: Puerto Rico has started rotating 48-hour water shutoffs for about 180,000 properties as the Carraízo reservoir nears depletion, with drought hitting the island hard after the driest July on record; residents are lining up for water trucks while officials say the rationing timing is still unclear. Local Tech & Education: AgCentric won an NSF supplement of $129,579 to expand agricultural robotics and automation curriculum testing and educator training, including a food-processing field test planned for summer 2027. Energy Tech Watch: Tesla has enabled vehicle-to-load on the Model Y Premium in the U.S. and Puerto Rico, letting owners draw up to 2.4 kW (with an $80 adapter) to power household loads. STEM Competition Spotlight: JVS student Catelyn Schiffman took first place in phlebotomy at the HOSA-Future Health Professionals International Leadership Conference, bringing Puerto Rico representation to a global health-tech stage. Cybersecurity Growth: Ridge IT Cyber earned its fourth straight Inc. 5000 spot after 181% three-year revenue growth, signaling continued demand for cybersecurity services.

Water Crisis in Puerto Rico: Puerto Rico has started rotating 48-hour water shutoffs affecting about 180,000 properties as the Carraízo reservoir nears depletion, with residents lining up for truck deliveries while officials cite drought and aging infrastructure. Local Infrastructure Fixes: A separate report argues the island is underusing a ready-made solution—rainwater harvesting from rooftops—while pointing to pipe failures and government mismanagement as the bigger problem behind long stretches without consistent water. Grid Reliability & Storage: New federal data shows Puerto Rico customers saw an average of 36 hours of power interruptions in 2025 (not tied to major events), and the gap is widening as a funding shift redirects money away from solar and battery storage. STEM & Robotics Education: AgCentric won a $129,579 NSF supplement to expand its Agricultural Robotics and Automation Technologies curriculum, including educator training and a food-processing field test planned for summer 2027. EV Power Tech in Puerto Rico: Tesla has enabled vehicle-to-load on the Model Y Premium in Puerto Rico, letting owners draw up to 2.4 kW using an $80 adapter for household-style power.

Water Crisis in Puerto Rico: Puerto Rico has started rotating 48-hour water shutoffs affecting about 180,000 properties as the Carraízo reservoir nears depletion, with officials citing drought and forecasts while residents line up for tanker deliveries. STEM & Robotics Education: AgCentric won an additional $129,579 NSF supplement to expand its Agricultural Robotics and Automation Technologies project, supporting educator training and a food-processing field test planned for summer 2027. Energy Reliability Watch: New EIA data highlights Puerto Rico’s widening grid reliability gap, with customers seeing far more outage hours than the U.S. mainland and a recent funding shift affecting solar and battery storage plans. Clean Tech Hardware Update: Tesla has enabled vehicle-to-load on the Model Y Premium in the U.S. and Puerto Rico, allowing owners to draw up to 2.4 kW using an $80 adapter. Wildlife & Local Response: A red-tailed hawk injured at a Florida school is being treated at the Marine Science Center in Ponce Inlet, showing how quickly local responders can route wildlife to specialized care.

Puerto Rico Water Crisis: Puerto Rico is rationing water after a historic drought, with 180,000 households facing limited access and municipal shutoffs ordered in the northeast—while experts point to long-running infrastructure and management failures, and note roof rainwater catchment is an underused fix. Grid Reliability & Storage: New federal data highlights how Puerto Rico’s power interruptions averaged 36 hours per customer in 2025 (not tied to major events), as a separate funding shift redirects $365M away from solar and battery storage. Energy Tech Trend: The U.S. installed a record 57.6 GWh of new battery storage in 2025, signaling fast-growing grid battery demand that could matter for islands like Puerto Rico. Electric Vehicle Capability: Tesla enabled vehicle-to-load on the Model Y Premium in the U.S. and Puerto Rico, letting owners pull 2.4 kW (with an $80 adapter) for household-style power. AI in Schools: A new report says 60% of teachers used AI in 2024–25, but most got no training—raising governance questions for K-12 and higher ed. Health Tech Research: HHS is funding an experimental H5N1 bird flu vaccine approach using engineered components, aimed at future pandemic response. STEM Education Travel: Puerto Rican teachers are heading to Washington, D.C. for AI and virtual reality education training. Space/Science Mystery: A U.S. satellite’s 1979 “Vela flash” remains unsolved decades later, with renewed interest in what triggered the signals. Sports Tech Tie-In: Tesla’s V2L rollout and Puerto Rico’s resilience needs are colliding as more consumers look for backup power options.

Water Crisis Tech & Policy: Puerto Rico is rationing drinking water as drought deepens, with 180,000 households facing 48-hour shutoffs and some communities reporting months of unreliable service; experts point to mismanagement as the core problem, while FEMA is supplying water trailers that don’t meet demand. Energy Grid Reliability: New federal data shows Puerto Rico customers saw about 36 hours of power interruptions in 2025 (not tied to major events), and a shift in $365M funding has redirected solar and battery storage plans—raising questions about how to close the island’s widening reliability gap. Aging Care Monitoring: Caregivers of Puerto Rico is rolling out an “Electronic Guardian Angel” service using smartwatches, necklaces, and base stations for remote monitoring, fall detection, and safe-mobility zones. STEM in Schools: A new report finds AI use in education is surging—teachers are adopting it fast, but many receive little to no training, and policy guidance still lags. Health Tech Research: HHS is funding an experimental H5N1 bird flu vaccine study using engineered components, aiming to strengthen future pandemic response.

Puerto Rico Water Crisis: A rupture in a major superaqueduct line plus drought and aging infrastructure is driving rotating 48-hour (and longer) water outages for hundreds of thousands, with lawmakers urging the EPA to act and FEMA supplying water trailers. Puerto Rico Grid Reliability: New federal data shows Puerto Rico customers faced about 36 hours of power interruptions in 2025 (not tied to major storms), while a shift in battery storage funding raises concerns about reliability. AI in Education (Puerto Rico): Public school educators traveled to Washington, D.C. for training on AI, coding, and virtual reality as adoption outpaces formal guidance. Energy Storage Boom (US): The U.S. installed a record 57.6 gigawatt-hours of new battery storage in 2025, signaling fast-moving grid investment that Puerto Rico may need to match. Elder Tech (Puerto Rico): Caregivers of Puerto Rico is rolling out an “Electronic Guardian Angel” with fall detection and remote monitoring to help seniors stay independent. STEM & Research: A study highlights targets for lung cancer interception, while a new remote monitoring technology is also making waves.

AI in Schools: A new K12 Academics report says 60% of teachers used AI in 2024–25, but 68% got no training, and many district policies still lag behind. Water Crisis Tech & Safety: Puerto Rico’s drought-driven rationing is hitting hundreds of thousands, with FEMA water trailers struggling to meet demand—highlighting the need for better monitoring and infrastructure planning. Remote Care for Seniors: Caregivers of Puerto Rico is rolling out an “Electronic Guardian Angel” with smart devices for fall detection, safe-mobility zones, and remote monitoring for aging clients. Education Upgrades: Puerto Rican educators are in Washington, D.C. for AI, coding, and virtual reality training through the Pilar Barbosa Education Internship Program. Election Security Scrutiny: CNN reports the Trump administration stopped renewing a cybersecurity contract tied to Puerto Rico voting equipment after findings didn’t support voter-fraud claims. Infrastructure Oversight: NIST will update the National Construction Safety Team advisory committee on its Hurricane Maria and Champlain Towers South investigations, including progress and next steps. Entrepreneurship Boost: Boricua Emprende Fest returns Sept. 4 with AI-focused sessions, a mentor hub, and a pitch competition for entrepreneurs.

AI in the classroom: Puerto Rican educators are in Washington, D.C. for an AI and virtual reality training track through the Pilar Barbosa Education Internship Program, aiming to bring emerging tech skills back to public schools. Water crisis: Puerto Rico’s drought-driven rationing is hitting hundreds of thousands, with rotating outages tied to low reservoir levels, infrastructure problems, and uneven rainfall patterns. Local entrepreneurship: Boricua Emprende Fest returns Sept. 4 at the Puerto Rico Convention Center with 2,000+ entrepreneurs, 30+ sessions, and AI-focused business training plus pitch and mentor events. Election security fallout: A cybersecurity firm hired to test Puerto Rico voting equipment says the Trump administration declined to renew its contract after it found no voter fraud, while allies reportedly pushed misleading claims. Tech & infrastructure oversight: NIST will update the public on Hurricane Maria and the Champlain Towers South collapse investigations during a Sept. 23–24 virtual meeting. STEM & research: ACF awarded $6M for predictive analytics pilots in child welfare, with Puerto Rico included in the broader “A Home for Every Child” effort.

Entrepreneurship & AI: Boricua Emprende Fest returns Sept. 4 at the Puerto Rico Convention Center with 2,000+ entrepreneurs, 30+ education sessions, and resources spanning access to capital, marketing, and artificial intelligence. Water Crisis Tech & Resilience: Puerto Rico residents describe chaotic 48-hour water shutoffs amid drought, highlighting the need for better utility reliability and emergency distribution. Election Security Backlash: A cybersecurity firm hired to test Puerto Rico voting equipment says the Trump administration declined to renew its contract after it found no fraud, after allies spread false claims. Manufacturing & Automation Funding: NIST’s new Manufacturing Extension Partnership centers include Puerto Rico, aiming to help small and medium manufacturers adopt technology and build workforce skills. Climate Science (Local): A Nature study finds tropical trees across Puerto Rico can adjust drought-related traits, offering hope for forest survival under warming.

Startup Funding: U.S. Sens. Chris Coons and Todd Young introduced the Build to Scale Reauthorization Act of 2026, extending the EDA program through 2030 and noting support already reaching Puerto Rico. Disaster Relief & Community: A Miami livestream benefit concert, “Unidos por Los Nuestros,” will raise money for earthquake victims in Venezuela and Colombia, with proceeds routed through major nonprofits. Water Crisis Tech & Resilience: Puerto Rico’s drought-driven water shutoffs continue, with residents describing daily ration chaos and the need for better crisis leadership and delivery. Climate Science (Local): A Nature study measuring drought-related traits in nearly 300 tropical trees across Puerto Rico finds many species can adjust to drier conditions—good news for forest survival planning. Manufacturing & Energy Infrastructure: Earth Science Tech, Inc. says it acquired Meduvo LLC, expanding compounding pharmacy reach to Puerto Rico and more jurisdictions, while a separate U.S. grant backs battery capacity in Puerto Rico. Policy Watch: Trump signed executive orders reshaping childhood vaccine recommendations amid rising measles concerns.

Caribbean Connectivity: A new GSMA report says 5G will reach 23% of mobile connections in the Caribbean by 2030, with Puerto Rico among the biggest drivers—but it warns regulatory updates and spectrum access are needed to close an investment gap. Puerto Rico Water Crisis: FEMA says it’s providing water trailers to Puerto Rico as drought and system losses keep rationing in the spotlight. Energy Storage Funding: The U.S. is backing Puerto Rico battery storage with a $490M loan for 220 MW, adding to DOE’s $489M battery project financing. AI + Infrastructure: Optimal Transit unveiled a second Kraaken™ configuration that can supply baseload electricity and fresh water to shore while still supporting AI compute. Public Health Policy: A Trump executive order targets measles vaccine schedules, as U.S. cases rise; Puerto Rico is also listed among affected areas. Food Safety: CDC updates on a cyclosporiasis outbreak note Puerto Rico among the states reporting cases. STEM Recognition: Armenia’s students won bronze at the International Olympiad on Artificial Intelligence, with Puerto Rico noted among top team finishers. Agritech Education: AgCentric received an NSF supplement to expand classroom-ready agricultural robotics and automation curriculum.