Gov. Jenniffer González Colón (Facebook via Jenniffer González Colón) By THE STAR STAFF Gov. Jenniffer González Colón defended her administration Tuesday from claims it owes LUMA Energy $800 million and is causing financial problems to the private operator of the island’s electric power transmission and distribution system. The House Government Committee, chaired by Rep. Víctor Parés Otero, has summoned top energy officials to a public hearing to account for LUMA’s multimilli

By THE STAR STAFF Gov. Jenniffer González Colón said Monday that she instructed the Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority (PRASA) to mobilize all necessary resources to urgently address a break in the Superaqueduct in the Manatí area, which will leave more than 15 municipalities without water service for between 36 and 48 hours. “Yesterday at noon, a 72-inch break was identified in an area of ​​dense vegetation, which required clearing and excavation work because it is loc

Gov. Jenniffer González Colón By THE STAR STAFF In response to complaints from some mayors about the inventory tax bill, Gov. Jenniffer González Colón said Monday that mayors cannot be, on the one hand, seeking financial aid from the central government and, at the same time, spending money on festivals, salary increases and trips. “Municipalities have to take concrete actions,” the governor said at a press conference in Aguadilla. “We can’t have … there are municipalities tha

Senate President Thomas Rivera Schatz By THE STAR STAFF Senate President Thomas Rivera Schatz reignited debate over Puerto Rico’s inventory tax and municipal revenue practices on Monday, publishing a pointed message on social media that included six public questions directed at the mayors and the board of the Municipal Revenue Collections Center (CRIM by its acronym in Spanish). Using his signature “Good Morning Puerto Rico” format, Rivera Schatz, who also serves as vice pres

By THE STAR STAFF In light of serious allegations surrounding the Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority’s (PRASA) tender for the purchase of water meters, Popular Democratic Party Rep. Swanny Enit Vargas Laureano has called for full transparency in the $400 million procurement process. Invoking the Transparency and Access to Public Information Law, Vargas Laureano announced that she has formally requested, in her personal capacity as a citizen, access to all non-confident

Gov. Jenniffer González Colón emphasized that the measure represents part of her administration’s public policy to improve the working conditions of public servants. (Facebook via Jenniffer González Colón) By THE STAR STAFF Gov. Jenniffer González Colón announced on Monday a salary increase for 107 nursing employees of the State Insurance Fund Corp. (CFSE by its initials in Spanish), as part of an effort to recognize the work of healthcare professionals and strengthen the ser

A central concern is the limited and conditional access to the San Juan Terminal for third-party liquefied natural gas suppliers. (Facebook via New Fortress Energy) By THE STAR STAFF The Financial Oversight and Management Board has expressed serious concerns over the liquefied natural gas (LNG) contract between New Fortress Energy (NFE) subsidiaries NF Energía and Genera PR, citing risks to energy security, transparency, and accountability. It is the second time the oversight

Energy Czar Josué Colón Ortiz By THE STAR STAFF The island Legislature announced on Sunday that it will investigate whether the government has an $800 million debt with LUMA Energy that is causing financial issues for the private operator. House Government Committee Chairman Víctor Parés Otero said he will summon LUMA Energy President & CEO Juan Saca, Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA) Executive Director Mary Carmen Zapata and Energy Czar Josué Colón Ortiz. The offi