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Governor-elect Jenniffer González Colón announced on Monday that the inaugural session of the energy committee is scheduled for this Thursday, with her presiding over it.
“Our initial meeting will take place this Thursday at the Convention Center at 3 p.m. Each member will bring forth specific proposals,” the governor-elect stated during a press briefing. “This meeting marks our first gathering, but we intend to hold follow-up sessions next week, focusing on the aspects of generation, transmission, distribution, and operations.”
“I will lead this initiative, which means it is not just a committee that I am delegating, as I will oversee the work involved,” she further explained. “And while the executive order will define the committee’s responsibilities to ensure they encompass the key elements, we will commence our work immediately. I will not delay forming this committee until January 2; I will initiate efforts now.”
González Colón indicated that she will invite representatives from the Financial Oversight and Management Board as well as members of the Legislative Assembly to participate in the discussions.
“I have also reached out to the executive director of the Fiscal Board, Mr. Robert Mujica, to ensure that the board’s representative or coordinator for energy issues is present at this committee, as it pertains to the board’s obligations and agreements,” she mentioned. “Furthermore, I have requested that the leaders of the incoming legislative bodies involve committee chairs from both sides who will oversee energy policies to engage in these discussions, so they can stay informed, right?”
“This way, they will receive the same information that I will obtain regarding the current energy landscape concerning generation and distribution, ensuring everyone is aligned,” González Colón continued. “Through this approach, we will fulfill our commitment to advance the initial legislation that I will propose and we will officially submit.”
Among the goals are to revise public policy to facilitate the adoption of natural gas and to seek alternatives for LUMA Energy, which operates the island’s electricity transmission and distribution network.
“It’s a complex and extensive topic, isn’t it?” the governor-elect remarked. “I have conducted numerous meetings on the energy topic, and each time I receive a briefing on the energy status, it varies significantly from the last. This is why I am assembling this committee of individuals with diverse expertise who have directly engaged with the issues, so each member can present their perspective on what they comprehend.”
