Hearings on proposed hike to island’s base power rate begin today

Independent Office of Consumer Protection Executive Director Hannia Rivera Díaz emphasized that the rate review process could result in higher costs, lower costs, or no changes at all -- making public participation in this week’s public hearings essential.

By THE STAR STAFF

Public hearings on a proposed revision to Puerto Rico’s electricity base rate will begin today, marking the first formal opportunity for residents to weigh in on potential changes that could affect households and businesses across the island.

The Independent Office of Consumer Protection (OIPC by its initials in Spanish), which is attached to the Public Service Regulatory Board, has announced that the hearings are designed to give citizens a dedicated forum to present comments and concerns. OIPC Executive Director Hannia Rivera Díaz emphasized that the process could result in higher costs, lower costs, or no changes at all -- making public participation essential.

The rate review request covers the full systemwide costs of the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA), including PREPA’s operation of hydroelectric assets and the services of its “HoldCo”; the generation‑asset operator Genera PR, LLC; and LUMA Energy, which operates the transmission and distribution system. The rate must also provide funding for PREPA’s debt, which is currently over $9 billion. Puerto Rico’s utility rates are some $0.24/kilowatt-hour.

“These public hearings will give consumers the opportunity to speak out and have their comments formally included in the record that will be evaluated by the [Puerto Rico] Energy Bureau [PREB],” Rivera Díaz said.

The PREB has scheduled in‑person hearings in several municipalities, as well as a hybrid session to facilitate islandwide participation. The schedule begins today in Vega Alta, followed by hearings in Cidra, Fajardo and Yauco throughout the week. The hybrid hearing will take place on Thursday at the PREB’s offices in San Juan and via Microsoft Teams.

Residents wishing to deliver oral comments during the hybrid hearing must request a speaking slot by Wednesday at 3 p.m. by contacting the PREB secretary’s office at (787) 523‑6262 or by emailing secretaria@jrsp.pr.gov. The hybrid session will stream live on the Bureau’s YouTube channel.

The period for the submission of written comments runs from Feb. 1 through March 6. Written statements must be titled “Public Comments on PREPA’s Rate Case -- Case No. NEPR‑AP‑2023‑00203” and may be sent via email to comentarios@jrsp.pr.gov, filed through the PREB’s online system, mailed to its San Juan offices, or delivered in person.

PREPA’s base rate has not undergone a full review since 2017. The current proceeding examines systemwide operating and maintenance costs tied to all PREPA assets.