New Fortress Energy announces arrival of Amur River with natural gas on Sunday
The company said the vessel will deliver fuel for power generation in San Juan, following federal court conditions and after legislative intervention to resolve payment and regulatory disputes.
The short version
- WAPA reported that the Amur River is expected to arrive at the Port of San Juan between 6:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 11, subject to weather and operational requirements
- El Vocero reported that the House Transportation and Infrastructure Commission has scheduled a public hearing for Oct. 19 requiring testimony from New Fortress Energy, the Puerto Rico Energy Bureau, AEE and other officials
- WAPA reported that Rep. José “Cheito” Hernández Concepción facilitated dialogue between New Fortress Energy, the Energy Bureau, the Fiscal Oversight Board and AEE to clarify doubts and advance the delivery
- WAPA reported that New Fortress Energy will cover the cost of two additional tugboats as required by a federal court order issued Oct. 1 but clarified that the payment does not constitute an admission of liability
Vessel arrival scheduled
New Fortress Energy announced the coordinated arrival of the vessel Amur River to the Port of San Juan on Sunday, Oct. 11, between 6:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m., to deliver a cargo of natural gas for electricity generation in Puerto Rico. WAPA reported that the arrival remains subject to weather conditions and operational requirements.
According to WAPA, the delivery will proceed in accordance with conditions established by a federal court on Oct. 1. New Fortress Energy has agreed to assume the cost of two additional support tugboats while other vessels transit near its terminal, although the company stated that this payment does not constitute an admission of responsibility.
What the sources posted
Posts and statements below are the sources' own words, quoted as published. They are not independently verified.
No estamos satisfechos con las respuestas que New Fortress Energy ofreció a la Comisión de Transportación e Infraestructura el pasado 6 de octubre, particularmente sobre el tema de la entrada de la embarcación ‘Amur River’ a la bahía de San Juan.
Our translation: We are not satisfied with the responses that New Fortress Energy offered to the Transportation and Infrastructure Commission on Oct. 6, particularly on the issue of the entry of the vessel ‘Amur River’ into San Juan Bay.
The source's own statement, as quoted by El Vocero. Not verified by PuertoRico.com.
Legislative intervention and disputes
WAPA reported that Rep. José “Cheito” Hernández Concepción, president of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Commission, promoted dialogue among New Fortress Energy, the Puerto Rico Energy Bureau, the Fiscal Oversight Board and the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority to clarify doubts related to the supply. The company indicated that these efforts facilitated communications through proper channels.
El Vocero reported that Hernández has called a public hearing for Monday, Oct. 19, requiring mandatory appearances by New Fortress Energy executives as well as Edison Avilés, president of the Energy Bureau; Josué Colón, energy czar and executive director of the Public-Private Partnerships Authority; Osvaldo Carlo, director of the Office of Independent Procurement; and representatives of the Electric Power Authority. The hearing was rescheduled from Oct. 13 to avoid overlap with a related federal court hearing. El Vocero reported that the commission is seeking transparency on the handling of the Amur River and measures to reduce electricity costs.
Where the sources differ
WAPA and El Vocero agree that Rep. José “Cheito” Hernández Concepción played a role in addressing the Amur River matter and that a legislative hearing will occur. WAPA reports the vessel arrival is now scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 11, and attributes facilitation of dialogue among New Fortress Energy, the Energy Bureau, the Fiscal Oversight Board and AEE to Hernández. El Vocero focuses on the commission's dissatisfaction with New Fortress Energy's Oct. 6 testimony, the company's subsequent statements conditioning supply on Oct. 7, and the rescheduling of the hearing from Oct. 13 to Oct. 19 to avoid a federal court date. WAPA mentions a $17.6 million payment claim raised during a hearing and an Energy Bureau resolution on Oct. 10 clarifying that its orders do not automatically withhold payments for delivered gas; El Vocero does not reference those specific figures or the resolution.
What the reports do not say
The reports do not state whether the Amur River has actually docked or begun unloading by the time of publication, the exact volume of gas to be delivered, whether payment disputes including the $17.6 million have been resolved, or what impact the delivery will have on electricity rates. They also do not indicate if the Energy Bureau has reversed any resolution or what specific contractual noncompliance issues were under evaluation.
Sources
Every link below was opened and checked when this story was published. Official means a government body, agency or the organization itself; Reporting means a news outlet.
- Reporting New Fortress anuncia llegada del buque Amur River con gas natural este domingo
- Reporting Comisión exige transparencia sobre Amur River y gas natural
How we checked this
WAPA reported the scheduled arrival, the federal court conditions, the role of Rep. Hernández and the Energy Bureau resolution. El Vocero reported the upcoming legislative hearing, the commission's dissatisfaction with prior testimony and the company's statements on supply. Details on payment claims and the exact arrival window rest on the WAPA account.
Compiled by the PuertoRico.com News Desk from the reports and statements listed above, and checked against them before publishing. It does not include original interviews. Spot an error? Email support@puertorico.com with a link to this story.