Puerto Rico Utility Admits Mistakes in No-Bid Energy Contracts

Puerto Rico’s utility acknowledged that it made some missteps in issuing contracts to help it rebuild its grid, even as it defended its choice of two untested companies to lead the effort.

Ricardo Ramos, the executive director of the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA), faced questions in Congress about the utility’s sole-source contract for $300 million with Whitefish Energy Holdings, the rates Whitefish charged for its work, and why the utility didn’t tap mutual aid from utilities on the mainland to help restore its grid after Hurricane Maria destroyed it.

“It’s one thing to be responsive in ...