Head Of Puerto Rico Power Utility Resigns As More Controversy Plagues Island

Carla Herreria
,HuffPost•November 18, 2017
The head of Puerto Rico’s power utility resigned Friday while facing scrutiny for the slow progress being made on restoring the island’s power grid eight weeks after Hurricane Maria devastated the U.S. territory.

Ricardo Ramos, executive director of the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA), submitted his resignation, effective immediately, to the utility’s board.

His sudden departure comes days after Ramos testified before the Senate over a controversial $300 million contract he signed with a small Montana firm to restore power to the island territory.

The contract, which Puerto Rico officials canceled after the hearing, was suspect because the bankrupt utility chose Whitefish Energy over larger firms with lower rates and more experience in dealing with disaster-stricken areas, according to The Washington Post.

PREPA workers repair damage from Hurricane Maria in Canvanas, Puerto Rico, on Oct. 10. (Alex Flynn/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
PREPA workers repair damage from Hurricane Maria in Canvanas, Puerto Rico, on Oct. 10. (Alex Flynn/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
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After Ramos’ resignation was announced, Puerto Rico Gov. Ricardo Rosselló recommended that the PREPA board of directors appoint Justo González, who’s served the authority since 1989, as interim director.

Rosselló told news reporters in Puerto Rico that Ramos is a professional and has worked hard in repairing the island’s power grid, but described his tenure as “unsustainable” and a distraction for recovery efforts.

“This designation will begin the process of evaluating the best available candidates, from both inside and outside Puerto Rico, in order to go ahead and name a permanent executive director for PREPA,” Rosselló said after recommending González.

“I trust that this process will occur as fast as possible and will not affect the work of rehabilitating the electricity system across the island.”

San Juan Mayor Carmen Yulín Cruz, an outspoken voice for more support during Puerto Rico’s recovery, said that Ramos “helped destroy the credibility of the PR government” and called him “a disgrace.”