Puerto Rico’s Education Secretary says full classroom air-conditioning may take years: only 2,758 of 11,831 classrooms reviewed had it working. The same week’s costs hit households elsewhere, with Puerto Rico spending an estimated $700,000 a day on diesel generation, supermarket power bills doubling, and a home needing $105,297 in income against a median $34,730.
Government and politics
- Puerto Rico Democratic Party Chair Says US House Shift Could Ease Federal Funding for Island: Luis Dávila Pernas, chair of the Democratic Party in Puerto Rico.
- Puerto Rico Ethics Office Files Complaints Against Former Governor’s Aides Domenech and García: The Government Ethics Office filed complaints against former Governor’s Office secretary Francisco Domenech and former undersecretary Itza García, seeking a civil sanction of three times any economic benefit, restitution of public funds, and retention of accumulated funds.
- PIP Senators Propose Barring Power Cutoffs for Patients with Debts on Payment Plans: The proposal would also eliminate the requirement to submit a medical certification every year to keep the benefit.
- Puerto Rico House Report on Failed $5.9 Billion Power Contract to Be Referred to Investigators: Puerto Rico is spending an estimated $700,000 a day on diesel generation while the New Fortress Energy terminal agreement is litigated in federal court.
Energy
- Oversight Board Warns New Fortress Gas Default Threatens Puerto Rico Economy, Seeks to Join PREPA Suit: The Oversight Board filed an urgent motion on Friday to intervene in PREPA’s federal lawsuit against New Fortress Energy over undelivered natural gas.
- Analyst Jay Fonseca Asks Why Puerto Rico’s Senate Has Not Voted to Cancel New Fortress Energy Contract: The House of Representatives approved the resolution unanimously to start canceling NFEnergía’s natural gas supply contract and its exclusive use of the San Juan Bay docks, but the Senate has not voted on it.
- Puerto Rico’s Energy Czar, Senate and House Probe LUMA Smart Meters Over Reported Bill Increases: Energy czar Josué Colón Ortiz gave LUMA five days, in an October 24 letter to president Janisse Quiñones, to investigate whether smart meter installation contributed to unusual bill increases and present a corrective plan.
- LUMA Installs Voltage Regulators in Islote Community in Arecibo: LUMA Energy has installed new voltage regulators to make the electrical system more stable for homes in the Islote community in Arecibo, Puerto Rico.
Economy
- IRS Seeks New Penalties Against Amgen in Dispute Over Its Puerto Rico Profits: Amgen said in its quarterly report that the IRS proposed penalties in September for fiscal years 2016-2018 that are “substantially similar” to those the IRS already demands for 2013-2015.
- Puerto Rico Homebuyers Need Over $100,000 in Income as Prices Climb, Analysis Finds: Estudios Técnicos estimates a household needs $105,297 a year to afford a home in Puerto Rico, versus a median household income of $34,730.
- Barceloneta Hit by KFC, Taco Bell Closures as IHOP Cuts Hours: The closure of fast-food chains including KFC, Taco Bell and Pizza Hut, and uncertainty around IHOP.
- MIDA Warns Puerto Rico Supermarkets’ Power Costs Could Raise Food Prices: Rising electricity costs have left supermarkets in Puerto Rico uncertain, with operating expenses doubling in recent months, according to Félix Aponte, president of the Puerto Rico Manufacturers Association (MIDA).
Safety
- Puerto Rico Faces Flood Risk, Intense Heat and Dangerous Rip Currents on Monday, National Weather Service Says: Intense heat, passing showers and afternoon thunderstorms in the interior and western areas of Puerto Rico will dominate Monday’s weather.
Health and schools
- Puerto Rico Governor González Eyes Democrats on Statehood, Medicaid and SNAP: González’s Washington agenda for 2027: statehood, fair Medicaid funding, and the PAN-to-SNAP transition.
- Five Puerto Rico School Bus Firms Ask GSA Appeals Board to Void Transport Contract Awards: Cotto Bus Line, Transporte A. Cruz, Transporte Escolar SR, Transporte Escolar Víctor and Transporte Rosado filed the appeal on October 23, citing “acts of arbitrariness and excess of authority.”
Around the island
Water: the week in the reservoirs is in Water Week in Review.
The live picture is on the power tracker and the legislature tracker. This is the 10th Week in Puerto Rico (last week’s is here).
Sources: the reporting linked above.