Wayne Stensby, president of LUMA Energy, today assured that the company will be able to assume the management of the transmission and distribution system of the country’s electricity system from June 1, and rejected claims that the agreement with the government of Puerto Rico would be changed. .
In recent days, lawmakers from three political parties have filed a resolution in the House of Representatives to postpone – at least until January 15, 2022– the implementation of the agreement between the energy consortium, the Authority for Public-Private Partnerships (P3) and the Electric Power Authority (PREPA).
Stensby reiterated during a roundtable with members of the press that the company will be ready to take on the administration of the country’s transmission and distribution system and rejected the bill to delay execution of the contract until next year.
“It doesn’t make sense to spend more time studying or analyzing what could be or what should be [el acuerdo]The best scenario is to start making improvements to the electrical system as soon as possible and that is why we are focused on the date of June 1, ”the management said to questions from Subway on the reasons for opposing the postponement of the entry into force of the contract. Stensby argued that the company has evidence and data suggesting it will be able to meet its scheduled June 1 date and take control of the country’s electricity system.
In fact, it found proposals to amend the agreement between the company and the government of Puerto Rico, such as allowing PREPA to monitor implementation of the agreement and not P3, unnecessary. “LUMA’s position is that the contract does not need to be adjusted. This agreement has been ratified by our Board, P3, the PREPA Board, the Tax Audit Board and the Governor of Puerto Rico. What is needed is to start the improvements to the electrical system, ”he said. Stensby described it as a “distraction” that they try to change the contract to give the PREPA board the role of overseeing the contract.
Likewise, he also said there will be no need to amend the agreement to change the clauses that leave the door open for the company to leave the island in case of force majeure, such as a natural disaster. “I want to make it clear that LUMA or the parent companies are not going anywhere … We will be here for 15 years,” said Stensby, who assured the energy consortium has experience handling reactions after a storm has passed.
In turn, he noted that, at least for the next three years, the company does not envisage asking for an increase in the electricity tariff for consumers.
Thunder against public hearings in the House of Representatives
The president of the company also thundered against the request for documents from Representative Luis Raúl Torres – who chairs the Committee on Economic Development, Planning, Telecommunications and Public Private Partnerships – as they were asked to submit within 48 hours and with the intention of raising doubts about the contractual process. “Requesting documents was a clear attempt to cast shadow and doubt on the recruitment process under P3 and on LUMA. I want to be clear and unambiguous: the process under the P3 was rigorous and exhaustive. The contract is legal and has been fully ratified, ”he said in his first presentation to the media. He added that they met the deadline at 9 a.m. this morning and provided all the information requested by the chamber committee.
Stensby also criticized that he was subjected to a marathon hearing last Sunday during which he was not allowed to expose or answer any questions.
“As part of a legislative investigation into the LUMA contract, I canceled about eight hours and was denied the opportunity to fully respond to questions. I was asked to provide details about my personal life and my family and other matters unrelated to the contract, ”asked Stensby.
In turn, he ruled out his willingness to disclose the number of his salary and the identities of the people who make up the LUMA board. “We will not disclose the names or details of our board members. Nor will I disclose my salary or anything like that, ”he told the media.
Receive more than 14,000 applications
Stensby said today that the company has received some 13,000 applications from people who are not currently working at PREPA. While he indicated that a further 1,300 requests come from PREPA employees who have requested to continue their work under the private company.
Faced with allegations by lawmakers that the agreement violates Law 120 on the benefits that PREPA employees should receive in the event of a transfer, Stensby insisted that the company comply with this legislation and that PREPA employees should do the same or the best receive wages.