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Puerto Rico pushes for private power generation amid secrecy
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FILE - Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority workers repair distribution lines damaged by Hurricane Maria in the Cantera community of San Juan, Puerto Rico, Oct. 19, 2017. Puerto Rico announced Sunday, Jan. 15, 2023, that it plans to privatize its electric generation, a first for a U.S. territory facing chronic power outages as it struggles to rebuild a crumbling electric grid. - photo by AP Photo/Carlos Giusti, File
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Nearly two hours after meeting behind closed doors, the governing board of Puerto Rico’s power company emerged Thursday to briefly announce it was approving a plan to privatize electric generation in the U.S. territory. No other details including the name of the company selected or how much it will be paid were provided as Puerto Ricans grow angry and exasperated with the secrecy surrounding the push to privatize the operation and maintenance of generation units. The sole dissenting vote came from the board member that represents the public’s interest, Tomás Torres, who told The Associated Press that he saw no need for another multimillion contract with a private power company that would lead to yet another increase in people’s electric bills amid chronic outages.