LUMA Energy reacted this afternoon to the signing of an executive order by Governor Pedro Pierluisi for the creation of a steering committee to oversee the contract of the Public Private Alliance (APP) for the transmission and distribution of electricity to the company.
As they said in a written communication, they welcome this mandate focused on the contract for the operation and maintenance of the electricity system in Puerto Rico.
“We are pleased that Governor Pierluisi has formed this working group to ensure that the main goal of the agreement is met, to transform Puerto Rico’s electricity system into a customer-centric, reliable, sustainable and economical one. Transparency is a fundamental value for the WORLD, especially because a better electricity system will improve the lives of all Puerto Ricans and we will have to work with the committee to protect the best interests of the people of Puerto Rico, “said Wayne Stensby, President. and CEO of LUMA Energy.
Executive Order 2021-012 establishes the need to create a steering committee to oversee and ensure that the implementation and execution of the contract between the Authority for Public-Private Partnerships (AAPP), the Authority for Electricity (PREPA) and LUMA does not increase the rate of electricity; that this contract is not used as a basis for the dismissal of a regular PREPA employee and that his benefits are maintained; make the necessary contributions to the PREPA employee retirement scheme for employees who transfer to LUMA and decide to continue to contribute to that system; that there are measures to avoid conflicts of interest in the award of contracts and that clear and specific values of compliance and performance are established and respected.
Stensby said LUMA is in the process of recruiting thousands of employees to make a comprehensive transformation of the island’s electricity system.
“To this end, PREPA employees receive priority treatment for recruitment and can currently apply for employment at LUMA before other candidates. No PREPA employees will lose their job as a result of this transaction. Those who do not join LUMA will have the option to remain in PREPA or to transfer to other Puerto Rican government agencies.This framework is established by Law 120 and the agreement does not amend or attempt to amend that law.These employees will also retain their rights and benefits according to the law. “He continued.
He also said that employees who move to LUMA can choose to continue to contribute to the PREPA retirement plan or join the 401K plan that LUMA offers to its employees.
With regard to the electricity tariff, LUMA stated that, as established by the Puerto Rico Energy Transformation Act, it is the responsibility of the Puerto Rico Energy Bureau to assess, establish and approve tariffs for electricity services paid by Puerto Rican consumers. Rich.