Nearly six years after Hurricane María devastated Puerto Rico’s electrical grid, Raquel Maria Gonzalez Sparks continues to experience frequent power outages. These outages have significantly impacted Gonzalez’s life, hindering her work as an independent contractor and causing financial strain. The outages have also resulted in damage to her appliances, increased grocery prices, and heightened security concerns due to the lack of streetlights. The ongoing power issues have created numerous challenges, including traffic congestion, air pollution, health risks, and increased expenses for Puerto Ricans who already pay higher electricity rates compared to the national average. These issues have been exacerbated since the private company LUMA took over the power system. Furthermore, Puerto Ricans are now facing the possibility of additional charges to pay off the debt owed by the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority to high-risk investors. This proposal has been met with opposition from various sectors of Puerto Rican society, including environmentalists, labor unions, and trade associations. The debt crisis in Puerto Rico stems from various factors, including the loss of manufacturing jobs and the reliance on heavily polluting power plants. The Puerto Rico Oversight, Management, and Economic Stability Act (PROMESA) was enacted in 2016 to address the crisis, but it has faced criticism and political activism. Despite political differences, there is widespread unity in opposing the proposed rate hike, as it is seen as unjust and burdensome for an already struggling population. This collective opposition highlights the deep-rooted issues that Puerto Rico faces and the impacts they have on its residents.
Wall Street ‘Vultures’ Push for Increased Electricity Costs on Puerto Ricans
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