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Luma Energy secured an extension on its temporary contract Wednesday following a 4-1 vote by the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority’s board. Government officials promised Luma Energy and the partial privatization of the power grid would improve electric services. On other occasions, Luma Energy blamed outages on bad weather and sargassum, a type of seaweed. Still unresolved is the bankruptcy proceeding for the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority, which owes nearly $9 billion, the largest debt of any government agency. As soon as a federal judge approves a debt restructuring plan for the power authority, Luma Energy's contract will become permanent for 15 years.

☆ Five years after Hurricane Maria, Puerto Rico's power grid is still costly and unreliable
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-22 | by ( Fred Imbert | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

The state of Puerto Rico's power grid has been a sore spot for many island businesses and residents, leading to backlash against Luma Energy — the company brought in to operate and improve the grid after Hurricane Maria. Many businesses were forced to shut down for weeks after Hurricane Fiona hit. Luma Energy officially took over control of the island's power grid in June 2021 for the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority, or PREPA. In July, about two months before Hurricane Fiona hit Puerto Rico, hundreds of residents marched to Gov. The company also said Oct. 10 that power had been restored to 99% of clients affected by Hurricane Fiona.

In the wake of Hurricane Ian, the living have struggled to account for all the dead. More than half of the victims drowned, the Florida Medical Examiners Commission has reported. A high-water vehicle with responders drives through a flooded neighborhood in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian in North Port, Fla., on Oct. 3. Precisely how many have died as a result of Hurricane Ian is a point of contention. “The communities hit by Hurricane Ian were places that have many new residents who had never experienced a major storm,” he said.

Rosa Rivera, 31, and her partner, Guillermo Cuero, faced a difficult choice when it came to protecting their 8-month-old baby, 9-year-old daughter and 8-year-old son. Rosa Rivera said her son had asked her, “Mama, are we going to die?”Jennifer Rosa Rivera, her partner and their three children at a wedding a few days before Hurricane Ian made landfall in Florida. Courtesy Rosa RiveraThe family lost nearly all of its possessions, including two cars that were submerged up to their windows. For many families, life in Florida was an escape from other climate disasters or extreme violence and poverty. “He lost absolutely everything,” Rosa Rivera said.

☆ In pictures: Hurricane Ivan crashes ashore in Florida
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-29 | by ( Jeremy Schultz | ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

From the Galveston Hurricane in 1900 to Hurricane Maria in 2017, these are the most destructive hurricanes to ever make landfall in modern America.

☆ Hurricane Ian batters Florida's Gulf Coast with catastrophic fury
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-29 | by ( Dave Lucas | ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

From the Galveston Hurricane in 1900 to Hurricane Maria in 2017, these are the most destructive hurricanes to ever make landfall in modern America.

☆ Biden Administration Grants Waiver Allowing Diesel Shipment Into Puerto Rico
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-28 | by ( Paul Page | Andrew Restuccia | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +3 min

The Biden administration on Wednesday approved a temporary waiver to Jones Act shipping restrictions to allow a tanker to deliver diesel fuel to Puerto Rico needed to run generators following the devastation caused by Hurricane Fiona. The BP vessel, which picked up its fuel cargo in Texas, is flagged to the Marshall Islands. The law is aimed at preserving U.S. maritime operations as a national security backup to the armed forces. Critics say the law drives up shipping prices and creates a barrier to speedy services following natural disasters and other times of need. Mr. Mayorkas said he made the decision to grant the waiver in consultation with the departments of Transportation, Energy, and Defense, and with input from Puerto Rico Gov.

☆ Some 349,000 still without power in Puerto Rico after Fiona
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

NEW YORK, Sept 28 (Reuters) - An estimated 349,000 homes and businesses were still without power in Puerto Rico on Wednesday after Hurricane Fiona hit on Sept. 18, causing an island-wide power outage for its 3.3 million people. After hitting Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic, Hurricane Fiona turned north and slammed into eastern Canada on Sept. 24, leaving over a third of Nova Scotia without power. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterFiona hit Puerto Rico about five years after Hurricane Maria knocked out all power on the island. At that time the now bankrupt Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA) was still operating the grid. Puerto Rico is restoring power to homes more quickly in the wake of Hurricane Fiona than after Hurricane Maria five years ago, when it took months before the island fully recovered.

☆ All eyes are on DeSantis' relationship with Biden as Hurricane Ian approaches Florida. Here's how the previous 3 presidents worked (or didn't) with governors on disaster relief efforts.
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-28 | by ( Isabella Zavarise | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

Governors usually work directly with the White House during disasters, relying on the government for federal resources. Here's a look at how the last three presidents handled disaster relief efforts and how Biden could address this crisis with DeSantis. However, on Tuesday evening, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre tweeted that Biden and DeSantis had spoken to discuss steps the federal government is taking to help Florida. Here's how the last three presidents worked with governors in their disaster relief efforts. Biden declared a state of emergency as the storm approached, ordering federal assistance to supplement disaster response efforts.

Under no circumstances is it safe at this time, or responsible, to have anyone other than us touching the power lines." A child rides a scooter past downed electricity lines in Salinas, Puerto Rico, on Sept. 20. Many such former employees worked fixing power lines before Luma took over the island's electric transmission and distribution last year. In Villalba, the brigade dubbed "Villalba Power" started unhooking power lines tangled in ravaged trees. Hernandez said he is confident Puerto Rico will be fully energized in less than a month.

☆ White House, FEMA urge Floridians to listen to local officials, evacuate if asked as Hurricane Ian approaches
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-27 | by ( Emma Kinery | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell on Tuesday urged Floridians not to underestimate Hurricane Ian and listen to local officials as the now Category 3 storm approaches the coast. The National Hurricane Center upgraded Hurricane Ian to a Category 3 storm Tuesday morning, which means it could bring winds of up to 125 miles per hour. Hurricane Ian is currently expected to make landfall "somewhere between Fort Myers and Tampa," Criswell said. FEMA's biggest concern is storm surge, Criswell said. Five people died as a result of storm surge in Florida in 2018's Hurricane Michael.

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — A ship carrying much-needed diesel fuel has been unable to dock in hard-hit southern Puerto Rico since Sunday while it awaits federal authorization because of the Jones Act, a century-old shipping law. That means that a foreign ship with goods for Puerto Rico would first have to disembark in the mainland U.S. and change crews. Signed into law by President Woodrow Wilson two years after World War I ended, the Jones Act was passed as a protective measure against foreign competition. On Thursday, eight members of Congress called for the federal government to grant a one-year waiver from the Jones Act for storm-ravaged Puerto Rico. As of Monday morning, only 16% of power customers in Ponce had their electricity restored, according to the Puerto Rican government.

☆ Puerto Rican municipal workers pitch in as power outages persist
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-26 | by ( Ivelisse Rivera | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Cars drive under a downed power pole in the aftermath of Hurricane Fiona in Santa Isabel, Puerto Rico September 21, 2022. She pointed to hurdles such as storm-damaged roads and factors beyond LUMA's control, such as the generation capacity of the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA). POWER CRUNCHThe widespread outages have led to a cascade of energy problems for Puerto Rico. Health officials in Puerto Rico attributed 12 deaths to the storm in Puerto Rico. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterReporting by Ivelisse Rivera in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

☆ About 746,000 still without power in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Fiona
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterCars drive under a downed power pole in the aftermath of Hurricane Fiona in Santa Isabel, Puerto Rico September 21, 2022. REUTERS/Ricardo Arduengo/File PhotoSept 26 (Reuters) - An estimated 746,000 homes and businesses were still without power in Puerto Rico on Monday morning after Hurricane Fiona caused an island-wide power outage for its roughly 3.3 million residents. Fiona, which was downgraded to a post-tropical cyclone by the U.S. National Hurricane Center on Saturday, battered Puerto Rico and other parts of the Caribbean a week ago, killing at least eight people. The storm reminded many Puerto Ricans of the devastation caused by Hurricane Maria five years ago, which knocked out power for almost all 1.5 million customers for a week. The widespread power outages have led to cascading energy problems for Puerto Rico, where fuel distribution limitations and surging demand for fuel to run backup generators has left many gas stations dry.

Workers with Luma Energy attempt to restore power on a flooded street in Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico, on Sept. 24. Since the hurricane, fuel and diesel have become essential to daily life in Puerto Rico, mainly to power the generators. People play pool in a bar on Sept. 20, in Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico. 'Puerto Rico is completely devastated'When asked what she would want to see from the federal response and from President Joe Biden, she said she wanted Biden to come to Puerto Rico and see the extent of the damage. A house that was washed away by Hurricane Fiona at Villa Esperanza in Salinas, Puerto Rico, on Sept. 21.

☆ Puerto Ricans from town in ‘terrible destruction’ after Hurricane Fiona despair over town's initial exclusion from aid
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-24 | by ( Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms | Daniella Silva | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +6 min

The landslides cut off Rivera’s farm, where he still lacks power and water, until heavy machinery arrived to attempt to clear the destruction. Most of the towns excluded were in the southwestern region, where Hurricane Fiona entered and left incalculable devastation. 'Almost all lost'But residents in San Germán were frustrated at not being able to apply immediately for individual assistance. Gone were hundreds of avocados, the coffee, the eggplants, zucchini and other crops Rivera produces and sells to the community, mostly to nearby restaurants. Jorge Luis Rivera, 36, a farmer in San Germán, Puerto Rico, who lost most of his crops to Hurricane Fiona.

JAYUYA, Puerto Rico — When Hurricane Fiona completely knocked out power and water to the mountain town of Jayuya, in the heart of Puerto Rico, it quickly became a life-or-death matter for Luis De Jesús Ramos, who has throat cancer and a tracheostomy. Luis De Jesús Ramos, 63, and his daughter Ashly Pérez, 26, in their home in Jayuya, Puerto Rico. Members of the company LUMA work restoring energy on Sept. 20, 2022 in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The Direct Relief Puerto Rico team came to the neighborhood to bring 10 portable oxygen concentrators and other supplies to partners in the area. Edwin Quiles Martínez, 66, and his wife Graciela Pérez Alvarado, 73, in their home in Ponce, Puerto Rico.

☆ Hurricane Fiona barrels toward Canada in a rare weather event after hitting Bermuda with heavy rains
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-23 | by ( Chantal Da Silva | Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms Kathryn-Prociv.Jpg | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +4 min

Hurricane Fiona hammered Bermuda with heavy rains early Friday as the now-Category 3 storm marched toward northeastern Canada. The center of the storm was passing northwest of Bermuda by Friday morning with maximum sustained winds nearing 125 mph, with higher gusts, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said. The storm was downgraded from a Category 4 hurricane as it made its way past the island, it said. The hurricane center said the severe winds and rain expected to come with Fiona would have "major impacts" for eastern Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, western Newfoundland, eastern Quebec and southeastern Labrador. The hurricane center also warned of the possibility of downed trees and power outages, noting that "most regions will experience hurricane force winds."

☆ Some 928,000 still without power in Puerto Rico after Fiona
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Cars drive under a downed power pole in the aftermath of Hurricane Fiona in Santa Isabel, Puerto Rico September 21, 2022. Fiona hit Puerto Rico on Sunday, five years after Hurricane Maria knocked out all power on the island. There were roughly 1.033 million customers without power early Thursday out of 1.468 million total customers, according to Poweroutages.com. At that time the now bankrupt Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA) was still operating the grid. Maria hit Puerto Rico in 2017 as a Category 4 hurricane with winds of 155 mph, while Fiona hit as a Category 1 storm with winds of 85 mph.

Cars drive under a downed power pole in the aftermath of Hurricane Fiona in Santa Isabel, Puerto Rico September 21, 2022. REUTERS/Ricardo Arduengo/File PhotoSAN JUAN, Puerto Rico, Sept 23 (Reuters) - Javier Rivera-Aquino is a lawyer who supplemented his income by raising bananas on a 17-acre plot of land in the mountains of west-central Puerto Rico until five years ago, when Hurricane Maria plowed into the island and swept away his plantation. For Rivera-Aquino, this week revived painful memories of 2017 as another powerful storm, Fiona, inflicted a fresh round of destruction on an island still struggling to recover from Maria. Rivera-Aquino knows too well the challenges now facing his neighbors around Lares, about 62 miles (100 km) southwest of San Juan, the capital city. While Cidra, about 31 miles (50 km) south of the capital, suffered multiple landslides in the wake of the catastrophic 2017 hurricane, Fiona has brought its own significant problems, he said.

☆ The climate crisis and the energy transition are exacerbating inequality, putting those least responsible in the worst position
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-23 | by ( Catherine Boudreau | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Leaders gathered for the United Nations General Assembly and Climate Week focused on inequality. The climate crisis and the energy transition are widening disparities, leaders said. Rich countries must meet pledges to help those least responsible for the crisis, advocates say. These regions combined have contributed less than 1% of historical carbon-dioxide emissions yet are bearing the brunt of climate impacts. Meanwhile, Europe is in the midst of an energy crisis because Russian President Vladimir Putin has scaled back natural-gas supplies to retaliate against Western sanctions.

People walk on a street affected by the passing of Hurricane Fiona in Penuelas, Puerto Rico September 19, 2022. Baxter, which makes small bags for intravenous medication, clinical nutrition products and inhaled anesthetics in Puerto Rico, said its facilities have "sustained little to no damage" from the storm. The company took a $70 million revenue hit after Hurricane Maria in 2017, spurring it to diversify manufacturing of key products. Drugmakers with plants in Puerto Rico said they have been able to keep up production and supplies as well. Johnson & Johnson (JNJ.N) said operations were restored at all its sites in Puerto Rico by Wednesday.

☆ One million still without power in Puerto Rico after Fiona
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterCars drive under a downed power pole in the aftermath of Hurricane Fiona in Santa Isabel, Puerto Rico September 21, 2022. REUTERS/Ricardo Arduengo/File PhotoNEW YORK, Sept 22 (Reuters) - An estimated 1 million homes and businesses remain without power in Puerto Rico Thursday morning after Hurricane Fiona hit on Sunday, causing an island-wide power outage for its roughly 3.3 million people. There were roughly 1.168 million without power early Wednesday out of 1.468 million total customers, according to Poweroutages.com. That pace of restoration is much faster than after Maria when almost all 1.5 million customers had no power for a week when the now bankrupt Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA) was still operating the grid. Maria hit Puerto Rico as a Category 4 hurricane with winds of 155 mph, while Fiona hit as a Category 1 storm with winds of 85 mph.

☆ Biden promises federal government will fully cover a month of aid to Puerto Rico after Hurricane Fiona
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-22 | by ( Emma Kinery | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

President Joe Biden announced Thursday that the federal government would cover costs related to Hurricane Fiona relief in Puerto Rico in full for the next month. "To the people of Puerto Rico who are still hurting from Hurricane Maria five years later, they should know that we are with you. Hurricane Fiona caused catastrophic damage across Puerto Rico, leaving more than 1.4 million people without power in the immediate aftermath. We're talking almost to the day, at least to the week, five years after Hurricane Maria was devastating [the island]," Biden said. "We're surging federal resources to Puerto Rico and we'll do everything, everything we can to reach the urgent needs they have."

President Joe Biden has approved a major disaster declaration for Puerto Rico as it reels from Hurricane Fiona, Gov. The administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Deanne Criswell, began touring affected communities in Puerto Rico on Tuesday, conducting initial damage assessments to support the governor's request. A man on Tuesday collects donated water bottles for drinking after Hurricane Fiona damaged water supplies in Toa Baja, Puerto Rico. Hurricane Fiona is the first major hurricane to directly hit Puerto Rico since it was ravaged by Hurricane Maria five years ago. "With regard to Hurricane Maria, the people of Puerto Rico, we believe, were treated in a manner inconsistent with the mandate toward equality, fairness and impartiality," Yaki said.

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