FBI investigates Puerto Rico power contract - WSJ

[Confounding]

Hmm...

FBI investigates Puerto Rico power contract - WSJ

The Federal Bureau of Investigation is investigating a $300 million (227.20 million pounds) contract that Puerto Rico’s government power company awarded to a U.S.-based energy startup, the Wall Street Journal reported on Monday, citing people familiar with the matter.

The contract between Whitefish Energy Holdings and Puerto Rico’s bankrupt power utility came under fire after it was revealed last week that the terms were obtained without a competitive public bidding process.

Whitefish had more than 350 workers and 2,500 tons of heavy equipment on the ground for rebuilding electrical lines destroyed in Hurricane Maria, raising concern about Puerto Rico's management of federal disaster-relief funds to the island, the WSJ reported. (on.wsj.com/2zjM0vi)

The Federal Emergency Management Agency, multiple congressional committees and local auditors have begun requesting documents about the deal, according to the WSJ.

A Whitefish spokesman said the company was not aware of any such investigation and that it “is committed to full cooperation with any inquiry or investigation.”

 

[xyz]

Hmm...

FBI investigates Puerto Rico power contract - WSJ

The Federal Bureau of Investigation is investigating a $300 million (227.20 million pounds) contract that Puerto Rico’s government power company awarded to a U.S.-based energy startup, the Wall Street Journal reported on Monday, citing people familiar with the matter.

The contract between Whitefish Energy Holdings and Puerto Rico’s bankrupt power utility came under fire after it was revealed last week that the terms were obtained without a competitive public bidding process.

Whitefish had more than 350 workers and 2,500 tons of heavy equipment on the ground for rebuilding electrical lines destroyed in Hurricane Maria, raising concern about Puerto Rico's management of federal disaster-relief funds to the island, the WSJ reported. (on.wsj.com/2zjM0vi)

The Federal Emergency Management Agency, multiple congressional committees and local auditors have begun requesting documents about the deal, according to the WSJ.

A Whitefish spokesman said the company was not aware of any such investigation and that it “is committed to full cooperation with any inquiry or investigation.”

Besides the Zinke connections, the company has links to major Trump campaign donors:
$300M Puerto Rico Recovery Contract Awarded to Tiny Utility Company Linked to Major Trump Donor

 

[whitehall]

A competitive bidding process? Is that what the FBI is doing these days? I feel so secure.

 

[Missouri_Mike]

A competitive bidding process? Is that what the FBI is doing these days? I feel so secure.

Maybe the FBI has to do it because PR isn't a state? I'm not sure.

Wasn't it just a little while ago people were screaming that the power wasn't back to full capacity yet? Now they're going to go crazy over a short bid process? You kind of have to pick your poison here don't you?

 

[ClosedCaption]

Hey, it's just Trump paying off his friends with our 300 million. What's the big deal?

 

[idb]

Hey, it's just Trump paying off his friends with our 300 million. What's the big deal?

Drain that swamp!

 

[Kondor3]

Any investigation which reduces or catches or prevents government corruption is a good thing.

Any investigation which prevents these Ruling Elites from using the Treasury as their personal ATM machine is a good thing.

Hell-to-the-yeah... investigate the ever-lovin' $hit outta the thing... harvest a few corrupt Republican (and Democratic?) politicians while you're at it.

 

[Missouri_Mike]

Hey, it's just Trump paying off his friends with our 300 million. What's the big deal?

300 million to get power back and stabilized for 3.5 million people really doesn't sound that out of line. Especially taking the location and lack of skilled workers into account. When you have to ship 2,500 tons of equipment and the people that can run it to an island? I'm not sure anyone is getting ripped off here just going over the basics.

 

[thereisnospoon]

Hmm...

FBI investigates Puerto Rico power contract - WSJ

The Federal Bureau of Investigation is investigating a $300 million (227.20 million pounds) contract that Puerto Rico’s government power company awarded to a U.S.-based energy startup, the Wall Street Journal reported on Monday, citing people familiar with the matter.

The contract between Whitefish Energy Holdings and Puerto Rico’s bankrupt power utility came under fire after it was revealed last week that the terms were obtained without a competitive public bidding process.

Whitefish had more than 350 workers and 2,500 tons of heavy equipment on the ground for rebuilding electrical lines destroyed in Hurricane Maria, raising concern about Puerto Rico's management of federal disaster-relief funds to the island, the WSJ reported. (on.wsj.com/2zjM0vi)

The Federal Emergency Management Agency, multiple congressional committees and local auditors have begun requesting documents about the deal, according to the WSJ.

A Whitefish spokesman said the company was not aware of any such investigation and that it “is committed to full cooperation with any inquiry or investigation.”

And?....Why not? The whole thing stinks. Allegedly the tiny Montana based company, which is not being charged or even criticized as they have brought back electrical service to more than one third of the Island,. is deep ties to the present Secretary of the Interior.
If this is true, that this was a no bid contract, whomever is responsible, should be charged with the appropriate crimes and brought to trial.

 

[Missouri_Mike]

Any investigation which reduces or catches or prevents government corruption is a good thing.

Any investigation which prevents these Ruling Elites from using the Treasury as their personal ATM machine is a good thing.

Hell-to-the-yeah... investigate the ever-lovin' $hit outta the thing... harvest a few corrupt Republican (and Democratic?) politicians while you're at it.

I would agree but this doesn't really sound all that horrible. At least unlike Solyndra people actually get electricity.

 

[Missouri_Mike]

Hmm...

FBI investigates Puerto Rico power contract - WSJ

The Federal Bureau of Investigation is investigating a $300 million (227.20 million pounds) contract that Puerto Rico’s government power company awarded to a U.S.-based energy startup, the Wall Street Journal reported on Monday, citing people familiar with the matter.

The contract between Whitefish Energy Holdings and Puerto Rico’s bankrupt power utility came under fire after it was revealed last week that the terms were obtained without a competitive public bidding process.

Whitefish had more than 350 workers and 2,500 tons of heavy equipment on the ground for rebuilding electrical lines destroyed in Hurricane Maria, raising concern about Puerto Rico's management of federal disaster-relief funds to the island, the WSJ reported. (on.wsj.com/2zjM0vi)

The Federal Emergency Management Agency, multiple congressional committees and local auditors have begun requesting documents about the deal, according to the WSJ.

A Whitefish spokesman said the company was not aware of any such investigation and that it “is committed to full cooperation with any inquiry or investigation.”

And?....Why not? The whole thing stinks. Allegedly the tiny Montana based company, which is not being charged or even criticized as they have brought back electrical service to more than one third of the Island,. is deep ties to the present Secretary of the Interior.
If this is true, that this was a no bid contract, whomever is responsible, should be charged with the appropriate crimes and brought to trial.

Why does the whole thing stink? They were big enough to get 350 people and 2,500 tons of equipment on site. If they got 1/3 of the power back and are making good progress why not let them continue?

 

[ClosedCaption]

Hey, it's just Trump paying off his friends with our 300 million. What's the big deal?

300 million to get power back and stabilized for 3.5 million people really doesn't sound that out of line. Especially taking the location and lack of skilled workers into account. When you have to ship 2,500 tons of equipment and the people that can run it to an island? I'm not sure anyone is getting ripped off here just going over the basics.

Oh stfu with that bullshit. It was a sweetheart deal using your money to enrich their friends. If you're cool with that go ahead and write them checks directly.

 

[Luddly Neddite]

Hey, it's just Trump paying off his friends with our 300 million. What's the big deal?

trump believes the US Treasury is his own private Petty Cash Fund.

 

[tycho1572]

After 8 years of accepting a corrupt administration, the left is suddenly interested in finding obscure signs of corruption.

 

[Anathema]

LOL. As someone who works for a major Electric Utility Company, they can get all the bids fhey want - most large companies will not want the headaches of talking on a territory in PR and the others will be too small.

That's what happens when you ignore maintenance on a utility for 60 years.

 

[KissMy]

LOL. As someone who works for a major Electric Utility Company, they can get all the bids fhey want - most large companies will not want the headaches of talking on a territory in PR and the others will be too small.

That's what happens when you ignore maintenance on a utility for 60 years.

It doe not matter if the power poles that got destroyed was old or new, they still got to be replaced. They actually saved money by not having storm destroy a new power grid.

 

[Anathema]

It doe not matter if the power poles that got destroyed was old or new, they still got to be replaced. They actually saved money by not having storm destroy a new power grid.

No they really didn't save anything, because nothing thst is left can be used. This will be the equivalent of building a bra d new power grud for 3 5 million people DROM SCRATCH, in a place where people were already not paying their power bills.

Nobody is going to want to take up the gJntlet and PREPA can't. Theyre bankrupt. My guess is 16-24 months for the interior of PR to get power back - if they ever do.

 

[KissMy]

It doe not matter if the power poles that got destroyed was old or new, they still got to be replaced. They actually saved money by not having storm destroy a new power grid.

No they really didn't save anything, because nothing thst is left can be used. This will be the equivalent of building a bra d new power grud for 3 5 million people DROM SCRATCH, in a place where people were already not paying their power bills.

Nobody is going to want to take up the gJntlet and PREPA can't. Theyre bankrupt. My guess is 16-24 months for the interior of PR to get power back - if they ever do.

New had nothing to do with it. Lack of cat-5 hurricane building codes was the problem. Deregulation!

New solar power in Puerto-Rico Before 2 hurricanes

After Hurricanes

 

[sartre play]

The problem is this is a tiny company with close to 0 experience. they are farming out all the work & taking money off the top. giving a friend a job is not a problem. giving a job to any one not capable of doing even part of the job them self's, its a big problem when its our money.

 

[Anathema]

New had nothing to do with it. Lack of cat-5 hurricane building codes was the problem. Deregulation!

First off, I have to say that second photo is the most beautiful solar field photo I've ever seen. It brings years to my eyes.

There is no way to build electric distribution facilities to survive a direct hit from Cat-5 hurricane. Especially not on an island with a GOVERNMENT RUN POWER COMPANY already more than $19,000,000 in the hole.