Wayne Stensby, president of LUMA Energy, today assured that the company will be able to take over the administration of the country’s electricity transmission and distribution system starting June 1, and rejected claims that the agreement with the Puerto Rican government should be amended.
In recent days, lawmakers from three political parties in the House of Representatives have introduced a postponement resolution – at least until January 15, 2022– implementation of the agreement between the energy consortium, the Authority for Public-Private Partnerships (P3) and the Authority for Electricity (PREPA).
Stensby, during a roundtable discussion with members of the press, reiterated that the company will be ready to take over the administration of the country’s transport and distribution system and rejected the legislative proposal to postpone the execution of the contract until next year.
“There is no logic in spending more time studying or analyzing what could be or should be [el acuerdo]. The best scenario is to start improving the electricity system as soon as possible and that is why we are focusing on June 1 “, said the executive when asked questions from Metro about the reasons for opposing the postponement of the entry into force of the contract. Stensby claimed that the company has evidence and data suggesting that they will be able to meet the June 1 scheduled date and take over the reins of the country’s electricity system.
He even considered unnecessary proposals to amend the agreement between the company and the Puerto Rican government, such as allowing PREPA to oversee the execution of the agreement and not P3. “LUMA’s position is that there is no need to change the contract. The agreement was ratified by our Council, P3, the PREPA Council, the Fiscal Control Council and the Governor of Puerto Rico. What is needed is to start with the improvements made to the electrical system “, he said. Stensby described as a “distraction” that he was trying to change the contract to give the PREPA board the oversight role of the contract.
Similarly, he also mentioned that it will not be necessary to amend the agreement to change the clauses that leave the door open for the company to leave the island in the event of a “force majeure” event, 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 that the energy consortium has experience in managing responses after a storm.
In turn, he commented that, at least for the next three years, the company does not envisage requesting an increase in electricity tariffs for consumers.
Thunder against public hearings in the House of Representatives
The president of the corporation also thundered against the request for documents of the representative Luis Raúl Torres – who is the chairman of the Commission for Economic Development, Planning, Telecommunications and Public-Private Partnerships – as they were asked to present numerous documents within 48 hours and with intention to sow doubts about the contractual process. “The request for documents was a clear attempt to cast a shadow and doubt on the recruitment process in P3 and LUMA. I want to be clear and unequivocal: the P3 process has been rigorous and comprehensive. The contract is legal and has been fully ratified, “he said in his initial presentation to the press. He added that this morning, at 9:00, they met the deadline and submitted all the information requested by the chamber commission.
Stensby also criticized the fact that last Sunday he was subjected to a marathon hearing in which he was not allowed to present or answer questions.
“As part of a legislative investigation into the LUMA contract, I filed for about eight hours and was denied the opportunity to fully answer questions. I was asked to provide details about my personal life and my family and other issues that have nothing to do with the contract, ”Stensby asked.
In turn, he ruled out being willing to disclose his salary number and the identity of the people who make up the LUMA Council. “We will not disclose the names or details of our board members. I will not even reveal my salary or similar issues, “he told reporters.
You receive over 14,000 job applications
Stensby said today that the company has received about 13,000 job applications from people who are not currently working at PREPA. While he indicated that another 1,300 requests come from PREPA employees who have requested to continue their activity within the private company.
Confronted with the legislators’ claims that the agreement violates Act 120 on the benefits that PREPA employees should receive in the event of a transfer, Stensby insisted that the company comply with that legislation and that PREPA employees will receive the same or the best pay.