Mayors create consortium to deal with vegetation impacting power lines

Naranjito Mayor Orlando Ortiz Chevres, center, pointed out an eye-opening fact: “Eighty-five percent of the outages in our electrical system are due to vegetation.”

By THE STAR STAFF

The mayors of several municipalities in the central region of the island, including Naranjito, Corozal, Cidra, Barranquitas, Aibonito and Orocovis, have joined forces to create a municipal consortium to address the critical issue of vegetation that interferes with power transmission and distribution lines.

The vegetation problem significantly impacts the reliability of the electrical system in their communities.

In a written statement, Naranjito Mayor Orlando Ortiz Chevres highlighted a staggering fact: “Eighty-five percent of the outages in our electrical system are due to vegetation.”

He emphasized the necessity for active involvement from local governments in finding solutions.

“This consortium proposal will allow our municipalities to pool our strengths and resources to effectively collaborate with LUMA Energy in the ongoing maintenance and enhancement of our electrical infrastructure,” Ortiz Chevres said.

The Naranjito mayor further elaborated on the implications of the initiative, stating: “This step reflects our genuine commitment to ensuring the quality of life for our residents, particularly in our mountain communities, which often face unique challenges.”

Recognizing the importance of broader collaboration, the consortium intends to invite mayors from neighboring municipalities, including Cayey, Comerío and Aguas Buenas, to join their efforts.

“The union of our wills is essential to achieving concrete results that will substantially improve the well-being of our communities,” Ortiz Chevres said.

He reiterated that “this effort is not directed against anyone but is instead in favor of the communities we serve, ensuring that our residents benefit from a more reliable and stable electricity system.”

The mayors also announced their intention to present their collaborative proposals to Gov. Jenniffer González Colón for her consideration and support. They said they are optimistic that the proposed partnership between the municipalities and the central government will serve as a catalyst for transformative changes in the island’s energy landscape, ultimately leading to a more efficient and dependable power supply for all residents.