Ongoing projects protect wildlife, reduce the risk of animal contact and strengthen the electrical system.
San Juan, PR – April 22, 2026 – In the framework of Earth Day, LUMA highlighted significant progress in projects focused on protecting the environment while continuing to strengthen the island’s electrical system. These efforts include protecting wildlife, reducing wildfire risk, retrofitting street lighting to protect sea turtles, and complying with state and federal environmental regulations.
“Protecting the environment is an essential part of our mission to transform the electric system,” said Luisette Ríos, director of the Environmental Department. “Each project we carry out seeks to improve electric service while taking care of Puerto Rico’s natural resources.”
Sea Turtle Protection Using Amber Luminaires
As part of its commitment to environmental conservation, LUMA continues to replace traditional luminaires with amber LED lights in coastal areas where sea turtle nesting occurs. This effort, financed with federal FEMA funds, is in full compliance with the Regulations for the Control and Prevention of Light Pollution and with the provisions of the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources (DNER) and the Planning Board.
Traditional white light contains high levels of blue light, which can disorient turtles, especially hatchlings. Amber — and in some cases red — light emits safer and less noticeable wavelengths for these species, reducing their exposure to artificial lighting and protecting essential processes such as:
- The orientation of the young towards the sea at the time of birth
- The nesting patterns of adult turtles
- The preservation of highly sensitive coastal habitats
In addition to protecting wildlife, these luminaires:
- They reduce light pollution by preventing the emission of light into the sky
- Direct light towards the ground more precisely
- Consume less energy, using efficient LED technology
- Increase the resilience of the public lighting system
LUMA has already installed more than 900 amber luminaires in coastal municipalities, with active projects in Naguabo, Vega Alta and Arroyo, and soon in Rincón. Of the 38 coastal municipalities identified, 31 have already begun this modernization process.
Currently, Puerto Rico is in the middle of nesting season for protected species such as hawksbill turtles, loggerhead turtles, green turtles, and leatherback turtles, which makes these actions even more urgent and relevant.
Wildlife Protection Standard
As part of its commitment to operate safely and responsibly, LUMA applies its Wildlife Protection Standard, focused on preventing animals from coming into contact with energized equipment inside substations. To do this, devices (known as animal guards) are installed, designed to prevent wildlife from making double contact with the electrical infrastructure, an event that can put the animal’s life at risk and cause interruptions in service. These measures help protect wildlife and strengthen continuity of electric service for our customers.
Wildfire Mitigation Initiative
In addition, LUMA continues to expand its Wildfire Mitigation Initiative, designed to reduce the risk of fires associated with electrical infrastructure. As part of these works, preventive inspections, vegetation management, replacement or repair of deteriorated equipment and the integration of technology that allows real-time monitoring of the conditions of the electrical network are carried out. These actions strengthen operational safety, help protect communities and natural areas, and contribute to ensuring the safety of our customers.
Protection of cultural resources during energy projects
As part of its commitment to sustainability and regulatory compliance, LUMA conducts archaeological assessments before beginning projects to rebuild the electric system. These studies, required by federal and local agencies, make it possible to identify and protect historical resources that could be affected by the works. The process is being carried out in coordination with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), the Institute of Puerto Rican Culture (ICP) and the Central Office of Recovery, Reconstruction and Resiliency (COR3).
Thanks to these analyses, engineering teams can integrate protection measures from the planning stage, reducing risks, avoiding impacts, and allowing the modernization of the electrical system to move forward responsibly. In the Caguana segment project in Lares, for example, the study confirmed that the proposed works will not affect known cultural resources and made it possible to integrate additional protections for a nearby batey associated with the Caguana Ceremonial Center, located in an area of high archaeological sensitivity.
This interdisciplinary process strengthens responsible reconstruction and contributes to protecting the history, identity, and heritage of the communities that LUMA serves.
“These efforts are part of a comprehensive environmental agenda that guides the transformation of the electricity system towards a more resilient, modern and environmentally responsible one. LUMA reaffirms that each project not only seeks to improve the reliability of the system, but also to protect Puerto Rico’s natural resources for future generations,” said Ríos.
About LUMA
LUMA is a Puerto Rican company that, since June 1, 2021, operates and maintains the electric power transmission and distribution system in Puerto Rico. LUMA is a company driven by a mission to transform the electrical transmission and distribution system to provide all Puerto Ricans with the reliable, resilient, cleaner, and affordable electrical service they deserve. As a customer-centric company, LUMA’s entire workforce of over 4,000 employees is focused on safely delivering an exceptional customer service experience to its nearly 1.5 million customers.
