Hearing scheduled for Sept. 4 to discuss new basic power rates
- The San Juan Daily Star
- 1 day ago
- 2 min read
By THE STAR STAFF
The hearing examiner overseeing the process to set new basic power rates has scheduled a hearing for this Thursday to discuss LUMA Energy’s revenue requirement to operate the system.
On Sunday, LUMA filed a motion at the Puerto Rico Energy Bureau to submit a revised revenue requirement. In response to the submission, Scott Hempling, the hearing examiner, scheduled the Thursday conference to address any questions.
To ensure the efficiency of the conference, Hempling said all parties are requested to submit their informational questions via email by 5 p.m. on Tuesday. During the conference, counsel will have the opportunity to informally discuss topics such as the procedural schedule, the organization of the evidentiary hearing, and potential supplemental testimony on certain subjects.
Hempling also allowed Solar United Neighbors (SUN) to intervene in the process.
On Aug. 21, SUN, a non-profit organization with a national focus on creating a clean, equitable, and resilient energy system on the island, submitted a motion to intervene in the proceedings. SUN said it supports Puerto Rico communities in their transition to solar energy by organizing bulk purchases and offering educational resources and ongoing support for solar owners. SUN has also been selected as the lead grantee in the U.S. Department of Energy’s Puerto Rico Resiliency Fund ERF Topic 2 grant, which aims to create low-cost rooftop solar systems in Salinas for 150 single-family homes in vulnerable communities.
Previously, Hempling had allowed the Solar and Energy Storage Association of Puerto Rico (SESA) to intervene. However, he advised that SUN’s intervention is subject to certain conditions: the organization must coordinate with SESA to avoid duplication, and must accept the scope of this week’s proceeding, which is limited to setting rates.