Popular Democratic Party representative Edgardo Feliciano expressed outrage at the 0.81 cents per kilowatt hour (KWH) increase, which equates to 4.7% of the current cost in the PREPA bill.
“In times of economic crisis, where thousands of Puerto Ricans have lost their jobs as a result of the pandemic, PREPA is posing to file an increase in the electricity bill with the Energy Bureau. This increase is unacceptable, especially when in the cities of Manatí, Vega Baja, Vega Alta and Morovis, our small and medium-sized companies suffer from the devastation of partial closures and the increase in operating costs to operate in accordance with the established health requirements for the state, ”said Feliciano Sánchez, of District 12.
These statements were joined by his party partner, Deborah Soto, and this body’s Dignity Project legislator, Lisie Burgos.
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“Puerto Rico demands transparency, a determination of this magnitude that affects the wallets of each of the islanders, should have been communicated the next day via a press release from the Energy Bureau. While many don’t have enough to eat and aren’t paying the rent because of the economic crisis we’re going through, in the new bill we’re going to get a crazy increase. We will investigate this issue in the House of Representatives, ”said Dignidad’s spokesman.
“As a representative of the Toa Baja Municipality where the population is below the poverty line at about 38%, this increase is unacceptable. The economic condition of Puerto Rico is not there to put a new burden on the Puerto Ricans. I am staunchly against this increase, and together with my colleagues, we will request all information about this crime from the pockets of my people, ”said Representative Soto.
Yesterday, representatives Edgardo Feliciano and Vice President José “Conny” Varela filed Chamber Resolution 193, which aims to conduct an investigation into the Electric Power Authority’s decision on December 31, 2020.
The Energy Bureau approved this increase on December 31, 2020, but was announced two days ago.