Cidra mayor asks regulator to halt potential disconnection by LUMA
By THE STAR STAFF
Cidra Mayor Delvis Pagán Clavijo announced on Wednesday that he has asked the Puerto Rico Energy Bureau (PREB) to halt any moves by LUMA Energy to disconnect municipal facilities while it is determined whether the private operator of the island’s electric power transmission and distribution system followed regulatory procedures regarding a dispute over a $319,216.88 balance.
The mayor said a LUMA representative had warned the municipality in writing that they were “going to be disconnected.”
“This threat of disconnection could affect facilities where we provide essential services to our citizens,” Pagán Clavijo said in a written statement. “We cannot wait for a service suspension to occur before questioning whether the proper procedure was followed. That is why we turned to the Energy Bureau to protect service continuity while this controversy is addressed.”
The dispute stems from a balance LUMA attributes to municipal consumption exceeding the maximum cap for the contribution in lieu of taxes for the 2025-2026 fiscal year.
According to the motion filed with the PREB, LUMA informed the municipal government that it had until Sept. 14 to pay the full balance, enter into a payment plan with a 25% down payment, or file a formal objection to the bill accompanied by a 50% payment.
In response, Cidra asked LUMA to identify the regulatory basis for setting that date and to provide documentation regarding the pre-disconnection process.
“Our request does not seek a determination from the Bureau at this stage as to whether the claimed balance is owed,” the mayor said. “What we are requesting is that service be maintained while it is determined whether the requirements established by regulation prior to a disconnection were met.” The requested documents include the final bill stipulated in Regulation 8818, proof of its notification, the required monthly reports, and warnings regarding the disconnection process.
At the time the motion was filed, according to the municipality, LUMA had not formally responded to those requests. Pagán Clavijo added that the regulation mandates additional steps prior to disconnection, including notification of a disconnection plan and schedule.
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