Reported by The Star Staff
On Monday, Vivian Godineaux Villaronga, the newly appointed president of the Puerto Rico Bar Association, declared the formation of a Special Commission focused on the Legal Review of the contracts with LUMA Energy and Genera PR.
LUMA Energy serves as the private manager for the island’s electric power transmission and distribution network, while Genera PR operates Puerto Rico’s traditional power generation facilities.
“We hold the duty to guarantee that essential services are delivered in a just and effective manner,” stated Godineaux Villaronga in a press release concerning this initiative, marking her first declaration in her new role.
This commission, composed of seasoned contract attorneys, will analyze the agreements through the lenses of consumer rights and legality. It will also propose enhancements to the public energy policy.
The group is set to provide an initial report featuring legal suggestions regarding possible actions for service inadequacies, which may include the potential termination of the contracts. The president has encouraged other professional organizations to participate in similar efforts.
Various candidates, including Jesús Manuel Ortiz González of the Popular Democratic Party and Juan Dalmau Ramírez, representing the Puerto Rican Independence Party-Citizen Victory Movement Alliance, have urged for the termination of the LUMA Energy contract due to service issues.
Nonetheless, the projected expense of voiding LUMA’s contract ranges from $300 million to $600 million.
The public-private partnership agreement with LUMA Energy, along with the Puerto Rico Energy Bureau, which regulates the island’s energy industry, contains provisions to penalize LUMA for not fulfilling its obligations, but actions have yet to be taken.
The ultimate decision on the termination of these contracts rests with the Financial Oversight and Management Board.
