House lawmaker: LUMA requirements on infrastructure to hike construction costs

Rep. Gretchen Hau Irizarry

By THE STAR STAFF

District 29 Rep. Gretchen Hau Irizarry has expressed concern over the requirements imposed on infrastructure needed to connect to electrical service that are causing increases in construction costs.

In response, she has filed House Resolution 475, which directs the House Committees on Housing and Urban Development and Consumer Affairs to conduct a thorough investigation into new specifications and requirements established by LUMA Energy, the private operator of Puerto Rico’s electrical grid, for residential structures. The requirements, she said, have led to a significant increase in construction costs.

“Constituents have voiced their worries regarding the high costs resulting from LUMA’s staff requirements related to the infrastructure necessary for residential projects and electrical service connections. Given this situation, it is essential to investigate the specific requirements, determine whether they drive up connection costs, and, if so, understand the reasons behind the establishment of these new requirements,” Hau said. “It is the Legislative Assembly’s responsibility to investigate matters that impact citizens, and this is certainly one of them.”

Hau, who represents Cidra and Cayey, noted that the increased costs are linked to construction requirements for electrical columns that house energy meters and service connections, both of which are crucial for establishing electricity service at the residential level.

“This continues to impose financial burdens on citizens,” she said. “Therefore, immediate action is necessary to investigate these claims, address the issues faced by the Puerto Rican people, and understand the rationale behind the consortium’s unilateral implementation of new requirements.”

The legislator highlighted other instances where she said citizens have suffered due to LUMA’s actions.

“It is well-known that citizens have been making public complaints about compensation LUMA must provide for damage to equipment caused by system instability,” she said. “These claims are still unresolved. Thus, I reiterate the need to investigate this new situation.”

She pointed out that the island is bound by a contract that does not adequately address the needs of its constituents.

“LUMA is a service provider that lacks the basic capacity to meet citizens’ fundamental demands for continuous service, for which they pay monthly,” Hau said. “Meanwhile, the country continues to experience instability in its electrical system, an essential service that affects vulnerable sectors, and now it appears that the connection issues are impacting families as well.”

She also announced her intention to monitor the legislative process to ensure that the measure is addressed as promptly as possible.