Puerto Rico: Important Dam Damaged by Hurricane Maria To Be Rebuilt; Electricity Woes Lead to Protests

Puerto Rico, which has been facing electricity problems since Hurricane Maria hit, will be rebuilding a key dam to help alleviate its electricity woes. However, increasing electricity rates have led to protests across the US territory.

The territory's Electric Power Authority will be working with the US Army Corps of Engineers in this multimillion-dollar project. The damaged Puerto Rico dam, known as the Guajataca Dam, will be rebuilt and improved, though it is expected to take a decade to complete it.

"We are talking about a very complex undertaking," said Puerto Rico Gov. Pedro Pierluisi regarding the project seen to bolster the island's electricity production.

According to the Associated Press, an early warning system will be installed in the new dam, which was notably lacking when Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico back in September 2017. The dam was destabilized and forced many who lived nearby to evacuate.

Located in northwest Puerto Rico, the Guajataca Dam underwent emergency repairs after the storm. It is currently the source of potable water for more than 300,000 people living in the area, as well as providing water for crops around the region. It is owned by the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority.

Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority Proposes Electricity Price Increase

The Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority is currently facing financial woes. As part of its measures to deal with this, the company has proposed raising the price of electricity across the US territory, according to Nation World News.

The price increases will be part of the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority's debt restructuring plan to pull it out of bankruptcy. The initiative has already failed several times, with bondholders threatening to sue them.

If the initiative is approved, Puerto Ricans will see their current residential rate of 25 cents per kilowatt-hour nearly double in price within 30 years. A hearing on the case was held last Wednesday after some delays in the debt restructuring plan's approval.

Puerto Rico announced it was unable to pay its debts back in 2015, forcing nearly all of the island's government agencies to have its debts restructured. The bankruptcy was attributed to the corruption of many of the territory's officials, and residents are unhappy that it is they who are supposed to foot the bill.

Hundreds Protest Proposed Electricity Price Increase in Puerto Rico

Many are unhappy with the increase, with the Puerto Rico Energy Information Administration pointing out that electricity prices in Puerto Rico are already nearly double that of the US mainland, with industrial and commercial prices being more than double.

Puerto Ricans have now mobilized against this recent price increase, with hundreds of protesters marching to the governor's mansion to make their voices heard.

Cristina Miranda Palacios, executive director of the League of Puerto Rican Cities, a nonprofit organization, spoke with the Associated Press and said that the price increases are unfair and unacceptable.

"It's inconceivable that the people, including the most marginalized and economically disadvantaged populations, have to bear this cost for a highly questionable quality of service," said Palacios.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

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