Latest news with #consumeraffairs
Yahoo
22-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Puerto Rico's government sues private power company as chronic outages damage appliances
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Puerto Rico's government filed a lawsuit Tuesday against a private power company, claiming it is responsible for damages to customers' appliances caused by chronic power outages in the U.S. territory. The civil lawsuit by the consumer affairs department says the Luma company, which oversees power transmission and distribution in Puerto Rico, was 'negligent' and is responsible for damages caused to consumer appliances by outages and power fluctuations. It said the department has the authority to take cases to court to protect those affected by the company's 'inefficiency and lack of adequate service.' The action was filed against the company as a whole since the law exempts Luma's employees and contractors from claims filed by customers under an immunity granted in 2021 by Puerto Rico's Energy Bureau. The suit cited a recent Luma statement at a public hearing that the company has rejected 1,828 claims. 'It's time for Luma to be fully accountable to Puerto Rican consumers,' it said. Luma said in a brief statement that it would treat the lawsuit with the seriousness and responsibility it deserves. 'Our commitment is to continue working for the benefit of our customers, despite the significant challenges we face in operating a fragile and deteriorating electrical system, which for years has lacked the necessary maintenance and investment,' it said. The outages have damaged thousands of appliances ranging from air conditioners to refrigerators on the island of 3.2 million people with a 40% poverty rate. The lawsuit comes months after Puerto Rico's governor promised to cancel Luma's contract, warning it would be a long and complex process. Anger against Luma has been growing ever since it signed a contract with Puerto Rico's government in 2020. Outages remain common after Hurricane Maria razed Puerto Rico's electric grid when it hit the island as a powerful Category 4 storm in September 2017. But the grid was already frail following a lack of investment and maintenance for decades by Puerto Rico's Electric Power Authority, which is struggling to restructure $9 billion in debt. Two island-wide blackouts hit the island in recent months, including on New Year's Eve and during Easter Week. The Associated Press
The Independent
22-07-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Puerto Rico's government sues private power company as chronic outages damage appliances
Puerto Rico's government filed a lawsuit Tuesday against a private power company, claiming it is responsible for damages to customers' appliances caused by chronic power outages in the U.S. territory. The civil lawsuit by the consumer affairs department says the Luma company, which oversees power transmission and distribution in Puerto Rico, was 'negligent' and is responsible for damages caused to consumer appliances by outages and power fluctuations. It said the department has the authority to take cases to court to protect those affected by the company's 'inefficiency and lack of adequate service.' The action was filed against the company as a whole since the law exempts Luma's employees and contractors from claims filed by customers under an immunity granted in 2021 by Puerto Rico's Energy Bureau. The suit cited a recent Luma statement at a public hearing that the company has rejected 1,828 claims. 'It's time for Luma to be fully accountable to Puerto Rican consumers,' it said. Luma said in a brief statement that it would treat the lawsuit with the seriousness and responsibility it deserves. 'Our commitment is to continue working for the benefit of our customers, despite the significant challenges we face in operating a fragile and deteriorating electrical system, which for years has lacked the necessary maintenance and investment,' it said. The outages have damaged thousands of appliances ranging from air conditioners to refrigerators on the island of 3.2 million people with a 40% poverty rate. The lawsuit comes months after Puerto Rico's governor promised to cancel Luma's contract, warning it would be a long and complex process. Anger against Luma has been growing ever since it signed a contract with Puerto Rico's government in 2020. Outages remain common after Hurricane Maria razed Puerto Rico's electric grid when it hit the island as a powerful Category 4 storm in September 2017. But the grid was already frail following a lack of investment and maintenance for decades by Puerto Rico's Electric Power Authority, which is struggling to restructure $9 billion in debt. Two island-wide blackouts hit the island in recent months, including on New Year's Eve and during Easter Week.
Associated Press
22-07-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Puerto Rico's government sues private power company as chronic outages damage appliances
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Puerto Rico's government filed a lawsuit Tuesday against a private power company, claiming it is responsible for damages to customers' appliances caused by chronic power outages in the U.S. territory. The civil lawsuit by the consumer affairs department says the Luma company, which oversees power transmission and distribution in Puerto Rico, was 'negligent' and is responsible for damages caused to consumer appliances by outages and power fluctuations. It said the department has the authority to take cases to court to protect those affected by the company's 'inefficiency and lack of adequate service.' The action was filed against the company as a whole since the law exempts Luma's employees and contractors from claims filed by customers under an immunity granted in 2021 by Puerto Rico's Energy Bureau. The suit cited a recent Luma statement at a public hearing that the company has rejected 1,828 claims. 'It's time for Luma to be fully accountable to Puerto Rican consumers,' it said. Luma said in a brief statement that it would treat the lawsuit with the seriousness and responsibility it deserves. 'Our commitment is to continue working for the benefit of our customers, despite the significant challenges we face in operating a fragile and deteriorating electrical system, which for years has lacked the necessary maintenance and investment,' it said. The outages have damaged thousands of appliances ranging from air conditioners to refrigerators on the island of 3.2 million people with a 40% poverty rate. The lawsuit comes months after Puerto Rico's governor promised to cancel Luma's contract, warning it would be a long and complex process. Anger against Luma has been growing ever since it signed a contract with Puerto Rico's government in 2020. Outages remain common after Hurricane Maria razed Puerto Rico's electric grid when it hit the island as a powerful Category 4 storm in September 2017. But the grid was already frail following a lack of investment and maintenance for decades by Puerto Rico's Electric Power Authority, which is struggling to restructure $9 billion in debt. Two island-wide blackouts hit the island in recent months, including on New Year's Eve and during Easter Week.
Time of India
09-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Ludhiana industry gathers as BIS rolls out landmark safety rules for machinery
Ludhiana: The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), under the ministry of consumer affairs, food and public distribution, organised an industry awareness programme on machinery and electrical equipment safety (Omnibus Technical Regulation Order, 2024) on Monday. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The event witnessed active participation from over 65 industry representatives, highlighting the growing industry interest in aligning with India's evolving technical and safety standards. Vishal Tomer, director and head, BIS Chandigarh, emphasised the importance of streamlined regulatory frameworks in enhancing product safety and global market access. The programme comprised details about Omnibus Technical Regulation (OTR) Order, 2024. Rakesh Kumar, director, BIS, said it is a pivotal move towards strengthening India's regulatory framework by unifying technical requirements across multiple product categories, thereby, ensuring consistency, safety, and global alignment. Under this order, a wide range of industrial, construction, and electrical machinery will be brought under mandatory BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards) certification. The list includes over 400 products grouped under 90 Indian Standards, covering critical equipment categories such as pumps, compressors, cranes, packaging machinery, switchgear, and machine tools. The order covers 43 categories of machinery and products, including construction, earthmoving, and mining equipment; textile machinery such as looms and embroidery machines; packaging machinery such as filling, sealing, and labeling units; thermal treatment machinery used in manufacturing processes; metal-cutting and stone-working machine tools; pumps and compressors for handling liquids and gases; cranes and lifting machinery; and more. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Joint director, BIS, Ajay Maurya, responded to concerns and clarifying aspects related to compliance and implementation of the OTR 2024. He said since the new regulations under OTR 2024 will come into effect on Aug 28 this year, it will become mandatory for manufacturers to obtain a license by then. This is the first time in India that such an extensive order has been issued to ensure safety, he added. All manufacturers and importers of these products will be required to obtain BIS certification through the Manakonline portal, he said. Lokesh Jain, chairperson and zonal president, CII Ludhiana and Tarlochan Singh, president, ALMTI Ludhiana, affirmed Ludhiana industry's commitment to high standards and regulatory compliance.
Time of India
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
3cr beneficiaries to get 3-mth advance ration before monsoon: State
Ranchi: The state department of food, public distribution and consumer affairs will provide ration for June to August to over 2.88 crore beneficiaries under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) from June 1 before monsoon, food and civil supplies minister Irfan Ansari said on announcement came after Ansari held a meeting with department officials and the stakeholders and directed them to strengthen the supply chain network. "The move shows the state govt's sensitivity towards poor to save them from hassles in collecting ration in places which get disconnected during flood like situation," Ansari said."Districts have been instructed to ensure that there is no negligence in the distribution. I will monitor the distribution activities and strict action will be taken against negligent officials," the minister added. "The department is fully prepared to tackle any disaster during the monsoon season," Ansari The state department of food, public distribution and consumer affairs will provide ration for June to August to over 2.88 crore beneficiaries under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) from June 1 before monsoon, food and civil supplies minister Irfan Ansari said on announcement came after Ansari held a meeting with department officials and the stakeholders and directed them to strengthen the supply chain network. "The move shows the state govt's sensitivity towards poor to save them from hassles in collecting ration in places which get disconnected during flood like situation," Ansari said."Districts have been instructed to ensure that there is no negligence in the distribution. I will monitor the distribution activities and strict action will be taken against negligent officials," the minister added. "The department is fully prepared to tackle any disaster during the monsoon season," Ansari added.
