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Puerto Rico governor: Scrap Whitefish energy grid deal Puerto Rico governor: Scrap Whitefish energy grid deal
(about 1 hour later)
Puerto Rico's governor has called for a contract given to a tiny Montana firm to help reconstruct the island's power grid to be cancelled, his office said. Puerto Rico's governor has called for the cancellation of a controversial contract given to a tiny Montana firm to help reconstruct the island's power grid.
An official with Ricardo Rosselló's office told the BBC that the governor would ask the Puerto Rican authorities to scrap the deal. Ricardo Rossello also said he wanted to see repair teams brought from New York and Florida to aid with reconstruction efforts in the wake of Storm Maria.
The contract was given to Whitefish Energy, which has little experience of work on such a scale, without a public bid process.The contract was given to Whitefish Energy, which has little experience of work on such a scale, without a public bid process.
Several probes are under way. Several inquiries are under way.
More than 70% of people on the US-controlled island were without power as of Sunday morning - more than five weeks after the powerful hurricane devastated the power grid.
Mr Rossello said on Sunday he had asked the board of governors of the Puerto Rican Electric Power Authority (Prepa) to cancel the Whitefish contract.
"There can be no distraction to alter the commitment to restore the power system as quickly as possible," he said.
The governor said he had instructed Prepa to "immediately coordinate with the states of Florida and New York to reinforce brigades" that are currently rebuilding the grid on the island.
Concerns were raised about why Puerto Rican authorities had not requested "mutual aid" from other public power authorities, as is typical during disasters in the US.
The White House and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (Fema) distanced themselves from the deal last week.The White House and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (Fema) distanced themselves from the deal last week.
The company is headquartered in the town of Whitefish, the hometown of US Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke. Mr Zinke has denied any involvement or wrongdoing. The company has its headquarters in the town of Whitefish, the hometown of US Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke. Mr Zinke has denied any involvement or wrongdoing.
Whitefish has said that it secured the $300m (£228m) deal in a legitimate manner.Whitefish has said that it secured the $300m (£228m) deal in a legitimate manner.
The company did not immediately return BBC News' request for comment on the governor's statement. The company did not immediately respond to a BBC request for comment on the governor's statement.
Some 75% of Puerto Ricans have no power five weeks after Hurricane Maria. Prepa also did not immediately return a request for comment on the latest developments.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (Fema) has denied claims by The Puerto Rican Electric Power Authority (Prepa), the US territory's main utility, that it reviewed the deal. Fema has denied allegations by Prepa, the US territory's main utility, that it reviewed the deal.
The contract states that "Prepa hereby represents and warrants that Fema has reviewed and approved of this Contract".The contract states that "Prepa hereby represents and warrants that Fema has reviewed and approved of this Contract".
In a statement on Thursday, Fema said: "Any language in any contract between Prepa and Whitefish that states Fema approved that contract is inaccurate."In a statement on Thursday, Fema said: "Any language in any contract between Prepa and Whitefish that states Fema approved that contract is inaccurate."
Fema also said it had "significant concerns" with how Prepa procured this contract and had "not confirmed whether the contract prices are reasonable". Fema also said it had "significant concerns" with how Prepa had procured the contract and had "not confirmed whether the contract prices [were] reasonable".
Critics have queried why Puerto Rican authorities did not seek aid from other public utility companies - as is customary during disasters.Critics have queried why Puerto Rican authorities did not seek aid from other public utility companies - as is customary during disasters.
It is unclear what would happen if Fema refused to pay. It is unclear what will happen if Fema refuses to pay.
Walt Green, a former director of the US National Center for Disaster Fraud, told BBC News it is "impossible" to say at this stage who is responsible for costs. Walt Green, a former director of the US National Center for Disaster Fraud, told BBC News it was "impossible" to say at this stage who was responsible for costs.
"Any dispute may result in appeals, administrative hearings and lawsuits," he added."Any dispute may result in appeals, administrative hearings and lawsuits," he added.
Puerto Rican authorities initially said Fema would pay for the deal.Puerto Rican authorities initially said Fema would pay for the deal.
They are now seeking to assure the public there is "nothing illegal" about the contract.They are now seeking to assure the public there is "nothing illegal" about the contract.
Prepa and the Puerto Rican government are saddled with massive debts. The power authority declared bankruptcy in July.Prepa and the Puerto Rican government are saddled with massive debts. The power authority declared bankruptcy in July.
The US House of Representatives Natural Resources Committee, which has jurisdiction over the Caribbean island, is also scrutinising the contract.The US House of Representatives Natural Resources Committee, which has jurisdiction over the Caribbean island, is also scrutinising the contract.
On Friday, top Democrats from that panel and the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee sent a letter requesting the Department of Homeland Security's inspector general launch an investigation. On Friday, top Democrats from that panel and the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee sent a letter asking the Department of Homeland Security's inspector general to launch an investigation.
The correspondence follows similar requests from other members of Congress to the interior department's inspector general.The correspondence follows similar requests from other members of Congress to the interior department's inspector general.