01/10/2020
PRESS RELEASE:
Minneapolis Non-Profit Responds to Puerto Rico Earthquakes with Clean Energy
January 10, 2020
Minneapolis non-profit Footprint Project (FP) - www.footprintproject.org - is responding to the earthquakes in Puerto Rico with rapidly deployable, clean energy systems. With over 5,000 US citizens in need of emergency shelter and 1/4 of Puerto Rico's power grid potentially disrupted for the next year, FP is activating their largest Solar Energy Rapid Response Taskforce (SERRT) yet.
FP’s volunteer team was one of the first to respond to the recent earthquakes in Puerto Rico. Within 4 hours after the major, 6.4 magnitude earthquake struck off the southern coast of the island, FP mobilized 5 mobile solar assets, ranging in size from portable solar kits to solar trailers. Within 12 hours, FP identified two other large solar trailers on island through its network of clean energy partners. FP is now dispatching these units to support first responders and affected communities, providing clean, resilient power for critical device recharging, insulin storage, communications equipment, lighting and remote command. With 50 more portable power units en route, FP is and offering a unique example of how sustainable solutions can be rapidly delivered to front-line first responders.
FP grew out of a grassroots response effort to Hurricane Maria. Two of the resilient, solar plus battery systems FP installed on community centers after the hurricane are now being used to coordinate peer-to-peer response efforts.
If you're interested in helping Footprint Project in Puerto Rico, they are currently accepting:
1. Cash - The most effective, flexible, and sustainable way to support disaster-affected communities. Donations can be made at https://www.facebook.com/footprintprjct/
2. Clean Energy Equipment - Batteries, inverters, solar panels, wiring, in that order.
3. Attention - Share their work. Attention helps them find the first two :) Follow and share at https://www.instagram.com/footprintprjct/
For more information about why and how cash is best in disaster relief, you can go to the Center for International Disaster Information -- https://www.cidi.org/
For more information on the broader issue of why environmental disaster recovery still does not have the financing it needs, this interview with the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction provides good context -- http://www.thenewhumanitarian.org/interview/2019/12/13/COP25-climate-change-disaster-risk-reduction
For more information and additional media content, please reach out to [email protected].
PRESS CONTACT
Will Heegaard
Footprint Project
Phone: 612-701-5400
Email: [email protected]
Web: https://www.footprintproject.org/
Thanks!
FP Team
Footprint’s mission is to turn every disaster into an opportunity for sustainable development. We help responders deploy clean technologies that power immediate lifesaving efforts while supporting long-term, resilient recovery.
