Puerto Rico mayors demand answers from governor on power authority
SAN JUAN — The president of the Puerto Rico Mayors Association and mayor of Cayey, Rolando Ortiz, lashed out against the administration of Gov. Ricardo Rosselló, demanding clear answers on how municipalities can participate in the island’s energy service restoration process.
The declarations, from the spokesperson of the organization, which groups mayors affiliated with the Popular Democratic Party (PDP), were issued during a press conference held from the entity’s headquarters in Puerta de Tierra, and emerge in the same week that the Electric Power Authority (Prepa) indicated it would not permit municipalities to assist with energy restoration because of security concerns.
“We understand that this is a claim that seeks to raise awareness with the governor, who is the one who must make the decision to reveal the country’s energization plan, to know when and how [one’s] town will be energized,” Ortiz said.
Probe proposed into power restoration criteria for Puerto Rico towns
“There are dozens of mayors who have created brigades, mainly composed of Prepa retirees, who are available to collaborate with the electric system restoration, in relation to distribution lines. Mayors want to be a part of the solution,” he added.
Meanwhile, Caguas Mayor William Mirando (PDP) questioned why the island re-energization plan has not been made public and assured that Prepa’s restoration efforts are incongruent with the priorities established by authorities after the Sept. 20 devastation left by Hurricane Maria.
“My demand to Prepa is to coherently identify what the priorities are and to assign the resources,” Miranda said, pointing to a map of the hurricane’s trajectory and how the authorities have not prioritized the municipalities since the storm entered and exited the island, the points where most of the damage occurred.
“The one who directs the orchestra, who is the governor, I have to say he has failed to direct that orchestra, and we Puerto Ricans brought it upon ourselves for electing a person without experience,” the mayor lambasted.
Other mayors at the meeting denounced alleged discrimination toward municipalities that are not affiliated with the New Progressive Party (NPP).
They added that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) has acknowledged there is a master plan that outlines Prepa’s procedures to restore the system; however, that plan is up to Prepa and not USACE to reveal.
Moreover, the Mayors Association announced its support of and participation in a demonstration–11 a.m., Monday, Jan. 15, in front of La Fortaleza–in support of residents of Morovis who are demanding the governor present Prepa’s plans to restore electric service across the island.
Ortiz extended an invitation to his counterpart in the Mayors Federation, which groups mayors from the NPP, Carlos Molina, to join the demonstration.
The Cayey mayor emphasized the island’s socioeconomic stagnation from Prepa’s delays in restoring energy service..
Puerto Rico power utility rejects municipal help for grid repair
Related Posts
Latest News
-
THINK STRATEGICALLY: The Causes of the Global Food Shortages
How the Ukraine Conflict is Impacting Food Supplies As each...
- Posted June 24, 2022
-
Act 60 Advocates:
Incentives Needed to Make Up for Local High Operating Costs...
- Posted June 24, 2022
-
The Fire this Time
At the advent of the coronavirus pandemic, as lives were...
- Posted June 24, 2022
-
Businesses Reel Over Rate Increases
Prepa Chief Admits $200M Debt Uncollected; Short-Term Solutions Sought Puerto...
- Posted June 23, 2022
-
Effects of Fed Interest Rate Hikes Vary
The Federal Reserve’s increase Benchmarks interest rates
- Posted June 23, 2022
-
Mayors Seek to Save Funding
Meet with FOMB to Iron Out Deal to Avoid Budget...
- Posted June 16, 2022
-
Microsoft, Puerto Rico Government Sign Collaborative Agreement
Seek to Train, Certify Unemployed People in Digital Skills The...
- Posted June 16, 2022
-
Medplus Solutions celebrates 10 years Saving Lives
Innovation and continuous growth Expansion of specialized and more...
- May 18, 2022
-
Amazon Web Services Expands Operations in Puerto Rico
Local Office Will Offer Services to other Caribbean Islands...
- April 22, 2022
-
García Padilla: Rubio Is No Friend of Puerto Rico
Governor Says Rubio's Remarks Confirm he Works for 'Vultures'
- February 26, 2016
- 15
You must be logged in to post a comment Login