LUMA Energy and Puerto Rico mayors negotiate public lighting solutions

The Puerto Rico Mayors Association and LUMA Energy are engaged in ongoing negotiations regarding a proposal that would allow municipalities to assist in the replacement and maintenance of thousands of damaged streetlights across the island. The discussions aim to address a public lighting crisis affecting roads and rural communities, specifically focusing on infrastructure damaged by Hurricane Maria.

Local leaders, including Mayors Association President Jorge González Otero, have raised concerns regarding the financial and operational feasibility of the proposal. Mayors have expressed worries about high costs, staffing limitations, and the complexities of federal reimbursement through COR3 and FEMA. Some officials, such as Ponce Mayor Marlese Sifre Rodríguez, argued that the current terms are not cost-effective for local governments, particularly for poles not covered by federal funding.

Separately, LUMA Energy has scheduled maintenance and infrastructure work for October 29, 2026, in 15 Puerto Rican municipalities. These planned works include repairing electrical lines, modernizing substations, and vegetation removal, which may result in power outages lasting up to 13 hours in certain areas, including Caguas and Aibonito.