Governor rejects energy rate increase, announces new temporary generation

“I reiterate my opposition to the hourly bill increase,” Gov. Jenniffer González Colón said. “It is not necessary, and the [Energy] Bureau has also determined this.”

By The Star Staff

Gov. Jenniffer González Colón said Monday that an energy rate increase, as requested by LUMA Energy, is unjustified and reaffirmed her rejection of the request, which the Puerto Rico Energy Bureau had previously denied because it was not considered an emergency.

“I reiterate my opposition to the hourly bill increase. It is not necessary, and the Bureau has also determined this,” González Colón said during a press conference in Canóvanas. “We are always reviewing requests for increases here, and this cannot continue.”

The governor also said a selected temporary generation company will supply 800 megawatts of energy at a cost of less than 25 cents per kilowatt-hour. The arrangement was achieved after an independent evaluation and at no additional cost to the government, she said.

“A company was selected to supply 600 megawatts in Aguirre and 200 in Costa Sur, with prices below 25 cents per kilowatt-hour,” González Colón. “This will help provide the reserves for system repairs and the completion of the remaining projects in July.”

The governor’s remarks came during a press conference at which a new sports complex was inaugurated, in addition to the announcement of several projects for the northeastern municipality of Canóvanas.