IBTS supera meta de climatización al mejorar 103 viviendas en Puerto Rico
July 21, 2026
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El Institute for Building Technology and Safety (IBTS) completó mejoras de eficiencia energética, salud y seguridad en 103 viviendas de Puerto Rico mediante un programa federal de climatización de hogares, superando la meta de 100 viviendas en aproximadamente seis semanas.
La organización sin fines de lucro gestionó las operaciones y coordinó esta fase del Programa de Asistencia para la Climatización de Hogares (Weatherization Assistance Program, WAP) del Departamento de Energía de Estados Unidos, en colaboración con el Programa de Política Pública Energética del Departamento de Desarrollo Económico y Comercio de Puerto Rico.
Los programas de climatización buscan reducir los costos de energía mediante mejoras que aumentan la eficiencia de las viviendas y atienden condiciones que pueden afectar la salud y la seguridad de sus residentes.
Según IBTS, la iniciativa de Puerto Rico dio prioridad a las familias de bajos ingresos, los adultos mayores y las personas con discapacidad.
La organización no especificó las mejoras realizadas en cada vivienda, pero indicó que las obras buscaban aumentar la comodidad, mejorar las condiciones de vida y fortalecer la resiliencia de los hogares.
IBTS estuvo a cargo de la gerencia del proyecto, las inspecciones, el aseguramiento de calidad, la supervisión del cumplimiento, el control documental y la capacitación del personal, indicó la organización.
El proyecto también alcanzó un índice de satisfacción de 98% entre los participantes.
“Este programa demuestra lo que es posible y se puede lograr cuando los recursos federales se convierten en mejoras prácticas, medibles para las familias y las comunidades”, dijo Agnes Crespo-Quintana, directora de la Región del Caribe de IBTS.
Alvin Miranda-Colón, gerente del Programa WAP, dijo que la iniciativa busca hacer la energía más accesible y asequible, promover la sostenibilidad y fortalecer la resiliencia de las comunidades.
IBTS indicó que el proyecto requirió coordinación entre el Programa de Política Pública Energética, contratistas, auditores, inspectores, colaboradores tecnológicos y participantes de las comunidades.
La organización indicó que el trabajo también permitió desarrollar procedimientos, capacitar personal y ampliar la capacidad institucional para respaldar futuros programas de energía, vivienda e infraestructura financiados con fondos federales.
Judelly Hernández-Morales, gerente del proyecto de IBTS, dijo que la cooperación entre los sectores público y privado permitió convertir los fondos federales en mejoras para los hogares participantes.
The Institute for Building Technology and Safety has completed energy-efficiency, health and safety improvements in 103 Puerto Rico homes through a federally financed weatherization program, exceeding its goal of 100 households in about six weeks. The nonprofit organization, known as IBTS, managed operations and coordinated the latest phase of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Weatherization Assistance Program in collaboration with the Puerto Rico Department of Economic Development and Commerce’s Energy Public Policy Program. Weatherization programs are intended to reduce household energy costs by making homes more efficient while addressing conditions that can affect residents’ health and safety. The Puerto Rico initiative prioritized low-income families, older adults and people with disabilities, according to IBTS. The organization did not specify the individual improvements made in each home but said the work was intended to increase comfort, improve living conditions and strengthen resilience. IBTS handled project management, inspections, quality assurance, regulatory compliance, document control and staff training, the organization said. The project also reported a 98% satisfaction rate among participants. “This program demonstrates what is possible when federal resources are translated into practical, measurable improvements for families and communities,” said Agnes Crespo-Quintana, IBTS’s Caribbean regional director. Alvin Miranda-Colón, manager of the Weatherization Assistance Program, said the initiative was intended to make energy more affordable while supporting sustainability and community resilience. IBTS said the project required coordination among government officials, contractors, auditors, inspectors, technology providers and participating communities. The organization said that work also developed procedures, trained personnel and expanded institutional capacity that could be used in future federally financed energy, housing and infrastructure programs. Judelly Hernández-Morales, the IBTS project manager, said cooperation between the public and private sectors helped translate federal funding into improvements for participating households.
San Juan, Puerto Rico - March 6, 2026 ---The Institute for Building Technology and Safety (IBTS) shared insights from its extensive work supporting disaster recovery and infrastructure resilience in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands during the 2026 Society of American Military Engineers (SAME) San Juan Field Chapter Industry Day 2026, held March 3–5. Hosted by SAME at El Conquistador Hotel in Fajardo, the multi-day conference convened federal agencies, government leaders, engineering and construction professionals, and private sector partners to discuss regional infrastructure priorities and collaboration opportunities across Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the broader Caribbean. During the panel “Resiliency for the Future,” Agnes Crespo Quintana, Esq., IBTS’s Director of the Puerto Rico Region, shared field-based perspectives on the long road to recovery following the devastation caused by Hurricane Maria in 2017. Drawing from nearly a decade of on-the-ground implementation experience, Crespo Quintana emphasized the importance of community-driven recovery strategies that prioritize local engagement, transparency, and long-term resilience. “Recovery and resilience cannot be designed from afar”, said Crespo Quintana, adding that “they must be built alongside the communities who lived through the disaster and understand its realities. At IBTS, we believe that the most effective solutions begin with listening — ensuring community voices guide strategy while technical expertise translates those needs into practical, scalable solutions that strengthen resilience for generations”. IBTS is a nonprofit organization with more than 50 years of technical, engineering, and professional services experience supporting federal, state, and local governments, as well as private-sector partners. Its expertise includes program and project management; quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC); engineering review and technical oversight; inspection and monitoring; regulatory support; community engagement and stakeholder coordination. Across the Caribbean, IBTS has supported efforts to strengthen infrastructure, reduce risk, and advance energy independence and grid reliability, including initiatives related to distributed energy systems, microgrids, and other strategies that enhance long-term power security and dependable service. A hallmark of IBTS’ work in the region has been its community-centric, “bottom-up” approach , which integrates risk assessment, stakeholder mapping, and local engagement to ensure recovery strategies reflect the priorities of the communities they serve. This approach strengthens transparency, accountability, and compliance across federally funded recovery programs while fostering trust between institutions and residents. That approach is reflected in IBTS’s work supporting resilience, recovery, and mitigation planning through HUD and FEMA-funded programs, along with related workforce development and program implementation efforts carried out in partnership with public-sector entities. “Preparation must become part of our culture,” she noted. “In the Caribbean, where natural disasters are an ongoing reality, resilience cannot be optional. It must be embedded into our systems, our infrastructure, and our people. By equipping local communities with knowledge, tools, and opportunity, we ensure recovery efforts lead not just to rebuilding, but to lasting stability and prosperity”. During the panel, Crespo Quintana also underscored that investments in workforce training and local capacity-building are essential to sustaining these long-term resilience strategies. The SAME Industry Day conference featured exhibits, technical training sessions, networking events, and panels focused on doing business in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, including sessions on small business engagement, mentor-protégé partnerships, and infrastructure development across the region, with key panelists from the Government of Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, among others. About IBTS: With a mission to strengthen communities, IBTS serves as a trusted advisor and partner to local, state, and federal governments in advancing economic development. Its services ensure the effective planning, implementation, and evaluation of renewable energy projects and federally funded energy and sustainability programs—optimizing performance, reducing risk, and promoting the efficient use of public funds. Beyond its expertise in solar quality assurance, IBTS’s Puerto Rico office provides services in federal fund management; disaster planning, mitigation, and recovery; municipal planning; and resilience strategies. As a nonprofit organization, IBTS is guided by a Board of Directors with representatives from the Council of State Governments (CSG), International City/County Management Association (ICMA), National Association of Counties (NACo), National Governors Association (NGA), and the National League of Cities (NLC). For more information, visit www.ibts.org .
Fajardo, Puerto Rico – January 27, 2026 ---With the goal of strengthening the local economic development ecosystem in Puerto Rico’s eastern region, the Institute for Building Technology and Safety (IBTS) hosted “Sembrando Oportunidades: Regional Economic Development Forum,” an initiative designed to identify strategic assets, promote cross-sector collaboration, and expand access to support tools for entrepreneurs, microbusinesses, and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The event, held at the Fajardo Multi-Purpose Center, was open to community organizations, nonprofits, government agencies, cooperatives, private-sector businesses, and the general public. Participants engaged in dialogue, networking, and collaborative action aimed at advancing a more inclusive and sustainable economic development model for eastern Puerto Rico. This initiative is part of a grant awarded to IBTS through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Program , which supports regional planning efforts, the strengthening of intersectoral support networks, and local economic development in rural communities. As part of its mission, IBTS works closely with communities and grassroots organizations to build skills that foster local entrepreneurship. The organization helps participants better understand the requirements of business projects and SMEs, including key tools such as strategic planning, business plan development, and networking. IBTS also supports municipalities in promoting ordinances and public policies that facilitate entrepreneurship and respond to local economic realities. In particular, IBTS has focused its efforts on the eastern region, impacting municipalities such as Ceiba, Naguabo, and Fajardo. “At IBTS, we believe sustainable economic development begins when people are connected to useful information, practical tools, and real support networks”, said Agnes Crespo, Esq., Executive Director of IBTS Puerto Rico . “Sembrando Oportunidades aims to be a turning point so more entrepreneurs and SMEs can grow with direction, structure, and access to concrete opportunities. This forum is an invitation to align capacities, join efforts, and build community-driven solutions that directly impact quality of life and economic resilience in our eastern region”, she added. Event agenda highlights included: · Presentation of key socioeconomic and business ecosystem data relevant to the region. · A participatory data validation exercise integrating collected data with local knowledge and lived experience. · A roundtable discussion with eastern-region businesses and entrepreneurs, highlighting challenges, lessons learned, opportunities, and best practices. · An open forum focused on collaborative strategies and actions for regional economic development. The event, is a collaborative effort with the Municipality of Fajardo to further strengthen regional economic development efforts to generate entrepreneurship-driven ideas, share findings from the survey conducted with local entrepreneurs, and propose practical solutions for business owners. In anticipation of a newly announced hotel development in the Fajardo area, the program also aims to train and strengthen a network of local suppliers by connecting eastern-region entrepreneurs and SMEs with opportunities to provide goods and services. This approach seeks to amplify the regional economic impact of growth and ensure broader participation in new economic opportunities. In addition to its experience managing federal disaster recovery funds and implementing renewable energy initiatives, IBTS has incorporated a renewed focus in its 2026 agenda on supporting communities and municipal governments to foster microenterprise and SME development as key drivers of regional economic growth. Participating organizations that provided guidance, resources, and presentations included: · Consorcio del Noreste · SBDTC Eastern Region · PECES · Vieques Air Link · Cooperativa Roosevelt Roads · Pathstone About IBTS: With a mission to strengthen communities, IBTS serves as a trusted advisor and partner to local, state, and federal governments in advancing economic development. Its services ensure the effective planning, implementation, and evaluation of renewable energy projects and federally funded energy and sustainability programs—optimizing performance, reducing risk, and promoting the efficient use of public funds. Beyond its expertise in solar quality assurance, IBTS’s Puerto Rico office provides services in federal fund management; disaster planning, mitigation, and recovery; municipal planning; and resilience strategies. As a nonprofit organization, IBTS is guided by a Board of Directors with representatives from the Council of State Governments (CSG) , International City/County Management Association (ICMA) , National Association of Counties (NACo) , National Governors Association (NGA) , and the National League of Cities (NLC) . For more information, visit www.ibts.org .