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The New Progressive Party’s House delegation today urged Governor Pedro Pierluisi to utilize federal funds to lessen the blow of the impending electric service tariff hike, effective tomorrow.
The PNP’s House spokesperson, Carlos ‘Johnny’ Méndez Núñez, a vocal opponent of the increase—first proposed by the LUMA Energy consortium on December 16—suggested in a written statement that the government emulate the Financial Advisory Authority and Fiscal Agency’s (Aafaf) October action. Aafaf then authorized the transfer of roughly $76 million in federal pandemic relief funds to alleviate a similar rate increase demand.
Yesterday, the Puerto Rico Energy Bureau (NEPR) approved, albeit with a reduction, LUMA’s rate increase request for residential and commercial clients. The initial proposal, an 18.4 percent per kilowatt-hour surge, was modified to a 16.8 percent increase in electricity bills for the first quarter of 2022 (January-March).
“The Electric Power Authority must urgently pursue its objective of generating 40 percent of the Island’s energy from renewable sources by 2025, as mandated by Law 17-2019 (Puerto Rico Energy Public Policy Law). This law aims to provide citizens with access to energy systems that decrease home and business electricity costs. Swift action is critical to shield our citizens from international market volatility,” Méndez Núñez stated.
District #4 San Juan representative, Victor Parés Otero, emphasized that the approved increase will significantly impact residents.
“The average Puerto Rican family will see nearly a $30 increase in their three-month electricity bill amidst the current surge in COVID-19 cases,” Parés Otero declared. “Federal funds should be utilized immediately. We strongly support the Governor’s October proposal and urge its swift implementation.”
The PNP representative further pressed that electric power agencies must adhere to Law 17-2019 to prevent future rate hikes and achieve substantial electricity cost reductions for citizens.
“We will rigorously monitor compliance with all metrics specified in the aforementioned law,” he concluded.
The PREPA Retirees Association’s president weighs in
Johnny Rodríguez Ortiz, president of the Electric Power Authority Retirees Association (AJAEE), criticized Governor Pierluisi for using the NEPR as a shield, avoiding responsibility for the fifth energy service increase approved by the agency with the Governor’s backing.
“Pierluisi orchestrated, oversaw, and finalized the Electric Power Authority privatization, promising no electricity increases for three years. Yet, we’ve seen five increases in six months,” Rodríguez Ortiz charged, adding that “the Bureau was created to justify these increases, allowing politicians to evade accountability.
“The public can no longer be deceived. The truth is out,” he continued. “The Governor’s actions are far from protecting the public interest. He assured us of no LUMA rate increases for three years, yet he approves them via the Energy Bureau—an agency staffed by his appointees, furthering his agenda