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PREPA to Hire Environmental Review Contractor

Release Date: 03/22/2000
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(#00046) San Juan, Puerto Rico -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today modified and approved the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority’s work plan that lays out how it will spend $1 million to hire a contractor to oversee the Authority’s compliance with a comprehensive settlement finalized in March 1999 in a Consent Decree. PREPA is required by EPA to hire an Environmental Review Contractor to monitor compliance with the settlement and provide this information to the community. PREPA’s work plan describes in detail how the contractor will perform these activities. "The contractor will be someone that the community can work with to get a clear picture of how well PREPA’s doing," said Jeanne M. Fox, EPA Regional Administrator. "The community will have an opportunity to help PREPA find the right person for the job. Now that the work plan’s approved, we can move forward to bring someone on board." The Environmental Review Contractor will work with communities near PREPA plants to assist them in maintaining up-to-date information about PREPA's compliance with the terms of the multi-million dollar Consent Decree agreed to by PREPA and EPA. PREPA will fund the contractor, but he or she will report to EPA’s Director of the Caribbean Environmental Protection Division. PREPA has 30 days to submit to EPA a list of eligible applicants for Environmental Review Contractor. EPA will share this list with the community and will seek their input in selecting the contractor. The contractor will review PREPA documents, data and reports; conduct on-site inspections of PREPA facilities; bring EPA, PREPA and citizens together at least once every two months to discuss PREPA’s compliance with the Consent Decree; and convey community concerns to PREPA and EPA relating to PREPA’s compliance with the Consent Decree. Hiring an Environmental Review Contractor was one of several innovative projects suggested by citizen groups in Puerto Rico and included in the PREPA Consent Decree. This particular project was proposed by Comité Pro Rescate del Buen Ambiente en Guayanilla, a community group representing one of the communities most affected by PREPA’s operations and environmental violations. Those wishing to apply for the Environmental Review Contractor position should contact EPA at 729-6951 ext. 263 for a copy of the approved Work Plan and details on qualifications.