Luma Energy assumes Puerto Rico's electrical system operations and enhances emergency response protocols

The Puerto Rico House of Representatives has taken significant steps to enhance the efficiency of the island's electrical system during a recent meeting on May 15, 2025. A key focus was the proposed project involving Luma Energy, LLC, and Genera PR, which are set to assume operational responsibilities for the island's electrical transmission and generation systems starting June 1, 2021, and July 1, 2023, respectively.

The project aims to improve response times for electrical outages, allowing municipalities to act swiftly in collaboration with the authority and private operators. This initiative is expected to significantly reduce the duration of service interruptions, enhancing reliability for residents across Puerto Rico.

However, concerns were raised regarding the language in Article 1.0185, which outlines the certification process for municipalities to receive federal reimbursements through FEMA. The article stipulates that public corporations and their contractors must certify work done during emergencies to qualify for financial assistance. It was emphasized that municipalities must have formal agreements with the authority to ensure eligibility for these funds, as FEMA does not recognize municipalities as eligible applicants for work outside their legal responsibilities.

The authority highlighted the importance of mutual aid agreements between municipalities and the authority, which must be in place before any emergency occurs. These agreements are crucial for ensuring that municipalities can provide assistance and receive reimbursement for their efforts during emergencies.

In conclusion, the authority expressed support for the proposed amendments to the project, recognizing the vital role of municipal collaboration in emergency situations. The meeting underscored the need for clear guidelines and agreements to facilitate effective responses to electrical emergencies, ultimately benefiting the community at large.