House speaker demands LUMA reveal names of lobbyists

Speaker of the Puerto Rico House of Representatives Rafael Hernández Montañez

By John McPhaul

jpmpchaul@gmail.com

Speaker of the Puerto Rico House of Representatives Rafael “Tatito” Hernández Montañez called on LUMA Energy on Tuesday to reveal the names of the officials or contractors who are personally visiting the lower chamber on behalf of the private consortium that is in charge of the the island’s electricity transmission and distribution system.

“Today, we are publicly calling on LUMA Energy to disclose who the alleged legislative advisers are who personally visit the House of Representatives on their behalf,” Hernández Montañez said. “The country deserves to know.”

In recent days, it emerged that a Colorado company, Alumbra LLC, was hired by LUMA Energy for $17.4 million for alleged legislative consulting work.

However, the House speaker insisted that “from our administrative record it appears that the company does not appear in the Registry of Lobbyists of the House of Representatives.”

“Neither has any application for registration been received from an entity with that name,” he said. “Any action carried out by this firm could constitute an illegality.”

“After reviewing the updated list in the House of Representatives, LUMA does not appear as an entity represented by registered professionals and firms,” Hernández Montañez noted.