Weekly Review – September 24, 2020

In the second week of our Focus 2020 series, we try to answer the question: Can we Rebuild Puerto Rico’s State Capacity? Puerto Rico had a high degree of state capacity, but with time those skills, capabilities, and resources eroded due to several reasons. Even as Puerto Rico faces multiple crises today, its government is being called to execute at a high level. This gap between low capacity and high expectations is perhaps the most important political issue we face right now.

Weekly Review – September 17, 2020

There are less than seven weeks left before Election Day, a good time to pose interesting questions about some of the many issues affecting Puerto Rico, such as economic stagnation, the post-Maria reconstruction process, and the roles of the government and the private sector as they relate to economic development. Today we begin our seven-week series, FOCUS 2020, dedicated to those subjects. First in line is a brief historical background that will frame the discussion to follow over the next few weeks.

La vivienda y las plataformas digitales: Airbnb en Puerto Rico

La entrada de Airbnb a Puerto Rico, por lo menos antes del brote del COVID-19, ha tenido una gran acogida. La misma ha levantado pasiones entre partidarios y detractores. La evidencia hasta el momento parece apoyar más los reclamos de los detractores, particularmente los de residentes.

Weekly Review – September 10, 2020

This week we provide an update on Washington D.C. With only 21 days left on the legislative calendar before elections, we discuss if that is enough time for Congress to strike a deal. We also present an infographic depicting how U.S. consumers spent their stimulus payments.

Weekly Review – September 3, 2020

This week we summarize some aspects of the agreement between PREPA and LUMA that in our opinion raise important concerns. We also explore the prevalence of short-term rentals through digital platforms such as Airbnb and its effect on affect housing affordability in Puerto Rico.

La AEE y LUMA

El 22 de junio de 2020, la AEE y la AP3 formalizaron un acuerdo para la Operación y Mantenimiento del Sistema de Transmisión y Distribución de la AEE con LUMA Energía, LLC, y LUMA Energía Servco, LLC. Recientemente, CNE publicó un informe que analiza aspectos importantes de esta transacción y ofrece recomendaciones puntuales para mejorarla.

Weekly Review – Special Edition – August 27, 2020

This week’s issue of the Weekly Review is a Special Edition dedicated to providing a little bit of the background of our analysis of the agreement between PREPA and LUMA Energy for the operation and management of PREPA’s transmission and distribution system, which is a key part of the process to transform Puerto Rico’s power system.

Analysis of a Long-Term Agreement for the Operation and Management of Puerto Rico’s Transmission and Distribution System

On June 22, 2020, PREPA and the P3A entered into an agreement for the Operation and Maintenance of PREPA’s Transmission and Distribution System with LUMA Energy, LLC and LUMA Energy Servco, LLC. This policy brief analyzes important aspects of this agreement; highlights some risks associated with the performance of that agreement; identifies some serious concerns regarding the transaction; and offers some recommendations for its improvement.