Edison Avilés Deliz, chair of the Puerto Rico Energy Bureau (NEPR), said consumers have not paid the roughly $100 million the government is claiming from New Fortress Energy for extra costs incurred by using diesel when the company did not supply natural gas. He said those amounts stay out of the rate while the courts decide who bears the additional costs.
"Consumers to date have not paid a single cent,"
"Consumers to date have not paid a single cent," he told the press, adding that what is paid additionally to Puma will not be passed on to consumers until the courts resolve the matter. The dispute centers on who was responsible for diesel being used instead of New Fortress’s gas, and whether New Fortress alone or the government bears any responsibility.
The Public-Private Partnerships Authority and 3PPO argue New Fortress must cover the costs. Avilés Deliz said that if their arguments are correct, no payment is owed and New Fortress must pay, in which case the money enters the system and consumers do not pay it. He separated that claim from about $75 million in natural gas over-nominations that will be audited.
NEPR and 3PPO are examining why gas quantities above consumption were ordered in certain months, including why some months show $10 million in over-nominations and others zero. Any future change to the price in the gas supply contract must be evaluated by the regulator. Asked why the government was slow to go to court, he referred the question to those in charge of contractual actions.