Puerto Rico's Electricity Crisis: Power Companies Face Scrutiny

Two private power companies, Genera PR and Luma Energy, presented plans to stabilize Puerto Rico's deteriorating electric grid amidst demands for immediate action to reduce chronic outages. Officials from the Puerto Rico Energy Bureau questioned the companies' efforts and progress during a lengthy meeting, emphasizing the urgent need for grid improvements.

Two private power companies came under scrutiny Wednesday while they presented plans to stabilize Puerto Rico's crumbling electric grid as officials demanded immediate action to minimize chronic power outages.

The presentations by Genera PR, which operates the generation of power in the U.S. territory, and Luma Energy, which handles transmission and distribution, lasted more than five hours as they answered questions by Puerto Rico's Energy Bureau and others.

The bureau had ordered both companies in June to produce "aggressive" plans to improve the island's electric system, which was razed by Hurricane Maria in 2017 but was already failing prior to the Category 4 storm given a lack of maintenance and investment under Puerto Rico's Electric Power Authority.

(With inputs from agencies.)