Governor questions LUMA president’s salary, favors disclosing contracts.

By THE STAR STAFF

Gov. Jenniffer González Colón said on Monday that she favors disclosing contracts, as well as promotional and advertising agreements linked to LUMA, while simultaneously questioning the salary of the private grid operator’s new president, Janisse Quiñones.

“I believe so; I think that, clearly, the public should know who is paying whom,” González Colón said in response to questions from the press.

“Let the people know who is being paid,” she added. “Which, by the way, is paid for by the government of Puerto Rico.”

The governor said she would continue to meet with LUMA executives as long as the company remains the operator of the electrical system. She also said the government would continue to demand adequate service while the lawsuit regarding the cancellation of the contract is being resolved in court.

“They remain -- regrettably -- the operator,” González Colón said. “Until the court resolves that lawsuit, I must continue to ensure that the people receive electricity service.”

Regarding Quiñones’ salary, the governor said she does not agree with the compensation the LUMA executive receives.

“I do not earn what the director -- the president -- of LUMA earns,” she said. “I believe I earn annually what she earns in a single month. So, just imagine -- that puts those proportions into clear perspective.”

González Colón also attributed responsibility for rolling blackouts to LUMA and reiterated that the government would continue to demand improvements in electricity service.

“Now, what remains is to eliminate the interruptions caused by the infamous rolling blackouts, which, in this instance, are the exclusive responsibility of the operator -- namely, LUMA -- and to lower the cost of electricity,” she said.