Soto Statement on Whitefish Energy Contract Cancellation

Kissimmee, Florida – U.S. Representative Darren Soto released the following statement after announcements by the Government of Puerto Rico to cancel the contract with Whitefish Energy, the firm controversially chosen to repair the island's hurricane-ravaged electrical grid.

"I am glad to learn that the suspicious Whitefish contract to restore power in Puerto Rico has been cancelled. It's been over a month now since Hurricane Maria left the island with virtually no power and the people of Puerto Rico deserve better. I applaud Governor Ricardo Rosselló for requesting that efforts to properly rebuild the island's electrical infrastructure now undergo traditional "mutual aid" arrangements. We're pleased that the process will begin with assistance from Florida and New York.

"A number of my colleagues and I were not only concerned about the company's inexperience and inability of handling a project of this magnitude, but were also troubled by potential impropriety in the way the contract was procured. That's why we must continue to investigate the nature of this contract and help ensure that a formal bidding process is in place for future restoration contracts.

"I urge the Natural Resources Committee, of which I am a member, to call for an oversight hearing to look into the Whitefish contract and determine whether any improprieties took place during the procurement process."