This coalition raised the idea of a new governance structure for PREPA and guardrails to avoid the historical partisanship allegiance at the root of the problem. It challenges the public to rethink our relationship wit energy providers from passive consumers to active prosumers.
Ratepayers do not have an avenue in which to file complaints about damaged electric home appliances due to interruptions in the service. The government contracted does not address affordability as the island, with its high level of poverty, has the second highest energy rate after Hawaii. To make it worse, LUMA has no obligation to rehire or respect collective bargaining agreements. Instead, the government commits to relocating displaced workers in other government positions inflating, even more, the bankrupted state payroll. PREPA's $9 billion in debt was mainly spent on low-quality fossil fuel that has polluted Puerto Rico's air and water and exacerbated the risk of climate disasters. The rolling blackouts and privatization process, besides the higher burden on low- income ratepayers, is another example of how corporations and local politicians profit from disasters. Puerto Rico deserves a future with clean, reliable, and affordable energy and a wide coalition of voices are demanding that in state and federal forums.
Pedro Cruz
Pedro Cruz works with allies in the labor, economic, and racial justice movements to create family- sustaining union jobs in clean infrastructure, especially in low- income and communities of color. Previously, he worked in campaigns ranging from access to renewable energy, equity in public transportation, and immigrant workers rights.
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