Puerto Rico power company gives T&D reins to private firms
You have a titanic challenge before you, said Omar Marrero, executive director of Puerto Ricos Fiscal Agency and Financial Advisory Authority. The contract does not call for an increase in rates, which will require approval by Puerto Ricos Energy Commission, said Fermn Fontans, executive director of Puerto Ricos Public-Private Partnerships Authority. The Electric Power Authority serves 1.47 million clients across Puerto Rico and reports $3.5 billion in customer revenues. The power company has one of the highest debts of any Puerto Rico government agency at more than $9 billion, leading it to declare bankruptcy in 2017. Government officials said power company workers will receive priority and that none will be laid off.
Mexico president kicks off 'new normal' phase amid pandemic
Mexico City Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum urged residents via Twitter on Monday to stay at home if it wasnโt absolutely necessary to go out. On his way to Cancun, Lรณpez Obrador stopped at his ranch in Chiapas state and recorded a video he shared on social networks. โI wanted to give you good news,โ Lรณpez Obrador said. __Verza reported from Mexico City. AP photojournalist Fernando Llano and videojournalist Gerardo Carrillo in Mexico City and AP writer Ignacio Martรญnez in San Josรฉ de Los Cabos contributed to this report.
Battered Caribbean prepares for hurricanes amid pandemic
Caribbean islands have rarely been so vulnerable as an unusually active hurricane season threatens a region still recovering from recent storms as it fights a worsening drought and a pandemic that has drained budgets and muddled preparations. Caribbean islands have rarely been so vulnerable as an unusually active hurricane season threatens a region still recovering from recent storms as it fights a worsening drought and a pandemic that has drained budgets and muddled preparations. Its a very complex landscape this year, said Elizabeth Riley, acting executive director for the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency. Among those still waiting for their home to be repaired since Hurricane Maria is the mother of 63-year-old Maritza Santos. They live together now and worry about the upcoming hurricane season because Santos home already flooded during Maria and her mothers home is unlivable.