P.R. Laws tit. 21, § 1100
The Culebra, Environmental Pioneer: A Ten-year Plan shall provide for the coordinated implementation of the following initiatives:
(1) To develop and adopt measures aimed at transforming the Municipality of Culebra into the first energy self-sufficient municipality within the next ten (10) years, through the use of renewable sources and mechanisms that promote conservation and efficiency. The main goal shall be to reduce the use of fossil fuels to generate electric power in this municipality to at least fifteen percent (15%).
(2) To facilitate the construction of a solid waste collection and transfer plant and to establish a recycling program aimed at recycling one hundred percent (100%) of the recyclable waste generated in the municipality.
(3) To develop an incentives program to develop renewable energy sources, which shall include the use and installation of solar panels and to develop wind powered generation facilities at the residential and commercial levels, in a controlled and viable manner, and in harmony with the environment and landscape.
(4) To promote legislation to exempt bona fide residents of the Island Municipality of Culebra from the payment of excise taxes when they acquire motor vehicles powered by alternative energy or hybrid vehicles.
(5) To develop incentives that promote the acquisition of energy-efficient equipment, the installation of solar water heaters, the gradual substitution of incandescent bulbs for florescent or LED bulbs or other energy-efficient options at the residential level, and the substitution of inefficient fluorescent luminaires and incandescent bulbs in all public buildings for energy-efficient options, and the use of natural illumination alternatives whenever possible.
(6) To make improvements to the drinking water distribution and storage infrastructure. This includes providing for the installation of a redundant subsea pipeline. Likewise, incentives for the acquisition of energy-efficient equipment for drinking water shall be promoted and the sewer system shall be assessed to promote the use of treated residual water in operations that are not related to human consumption.
(7) To make improvements to the electrical grid and carryout remediation works on soils contaminated by the removal of equipment or demolitions.
(8) To revise the provisions of the building codes applicable to new or rehabilitated housing or buildings in order to require that a photovoltaic system with capacity to generate at least one kilowatt (1kW) be installed in every newly-built, rehabilitated, or expanded building in the municipality of Culebra. Furthermore, an incentive program shall be created for the installation of systems with a capacity of up to three kilowatts (3kW) and for the use of construction materials and equipment that promote energy efficiency.
(9) To adopt regulations for the conservation of the surrounding landscape that guarantee and protect such landscapes by adopting size, height, and location criteria, among others, through the Municipality’s Land Use Plan. As part of this initiative, a public policy on the installation of wind turbines shall be developed and implemented consistently with the landscape of Culebra, its geographic conditions, and the expectations of its people.
(10) To develop a “green roof” or urban naturalization project to stimulate the controlled planting of vegetation on the roofs of structures suitable therefor. In this manner, a reduction in the internal temperature and energy consumption of buildings shall be achieved.
(11) To design an environmental education program, which shall include new energy, ecological, and conservation curricula focused on energy and water efficiency and conservation, as well as the establishment of an Electronic Library.
History —Feb. 13, 2014, No. 26, § 2.