Jean Peña Payano, La Fortaleza's secretary of public affairs, rejected a proposed electricity rate increase from LUMA Energy on Thursday and demanded the company disclose executives' salaries and benefits. He was responding to a proposal LUMA submitted to the Puerto Rico Energy Bureau (PREB) that could add nearly $48 to some customers' monthly bills.
Peña Payano called it "cynical" for LUMA to seek a hike while maintaining undisclosed executive perks, urging the company to publish salaries, information on which schools executives' children attend and how much is paid for their education, which gated communities they live in, and housing/relocation costs. He clarified that PREB, not La Fortaleza, is responsible for evaluating LUMA's rate request.
He also contrasted the proposed increase with government discussions on providing relief to retirees receiving pensions under $1,000 a month, noting the added charge would burden retirees