How many Puerto Ricons does it take to turn the lights on ? ...

[dogtag]

Don't know, but it seems whoever and how many they are, it will
take them eight months before everyone's light bulbs glow bright.
In the meanwhile of course it's par for the course to blame the US.

Story on Drudge (couldn't copy)

[leftyo]

if it was poland, we could figure it out at 3 pollacks per lightbulb, but ive no idea how that transfers to peurto ricans.

[togor]

Any time some location in the CONUS gets battered by a storm with widespread outages, crews from elsewhere in the country are brought in to help with repairs.

Just another case of kicking someone when they're down. Too much of that going on, IMO.

[Sandpebble]

In about this same time frame....

Any time some location in the CONUS gets battered by a storm with widespread outages, crews from elsewhere in the country are brought in to help with repairs.

Just another case of kicking someone when they're down. Too much of that going on, IMO.

In about this same amount of time ... we were bragging... right here on Culvers.... how quickly US contractors were getting things back up and running in Baghdad ....

and we did that for people we believed were our enemies .....whether we like it or not the " Puertorriquenos " are citizens .... and the Iraqui's were enemies ....

hard to understand ?

[Dan Shapiro]

It's pretty hard to get an ANTIQUATED system up and running. But no problem, PR figures we'll just REPLACE their entire system with cutting edge technology.

Never let a good crisis go to waste.

[togor]

It's pretty hard to get an ANTIQUATED system up and running. But no problem, PR figures we'll just REPLACE their entire system with cutting edge technology.

Never let a good crisis go to waste.

I don't understand. Replacing disaster-ruined infrastructure with modern versions is pretty much standard procedure in the industry. As a result of previous disasters, US cities are much better able to withstand hurricanes and earthquakes. Is the suggestion that PR should not follow this practice? If it's a case of money, then you should first look much more carefully at who usually pays for what when a hurricane swamps a low-lying part of the CONUS. Hint #1: the National Flood Insurance Program never collects enough in premiums to cover costs.

[Jiminvirginia]

8 months sounds about right. Reports of 50,000 poles down, in some places it takes ten days to replace one pole. Do the math. The repairs are being done, infrastructure is being upgraded. It just takes a long time. Heck when got hit by the derecho we had no power for 11 days and that is in Virginia with easy access to labor and material and a good infrastructure.

The lesson learned here is to be prepared.

[m1ashooter]

Before the storm hit the head of the power company said it would be a year before power was restored. I had friends stationed on the island 20 years ago and they had power outages on a regular bases. Interesting Reading. Seems to me that the REA was a better concept then letting the gov't run things. Also how can you expect a power grid to operate if people don't pay their bills as stated in the article. PR has huge problems. High unemployment rate, high poverty rate and those who have the means are leaving for a better life for their families in the CONUS.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puerto_Rico_Electric_Power_Authority

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rural_Electrification_Act

[AZshooter]

Seems to me that someone in the Porky Rita gummit complained about the choice of some contractor from Montana (?) chosen for the job. Maybe they haven't found anyone yet (who WE'RE paying for) who meets with THEIR approval?

[JB White]

Keep in mind the most recent gubernatorial election results (2016) aren't exactly meeting public approval down there. Dem in power at the moment, but other Dem's from San Juan to Ponce are grandstanding for their next chance already. Using disaster and suffering to promote themselves. They all want to be the one to say, "Remember when....and how Me/Myself and I finally fixed things for YOU!"

Oh...PR's can't change a light bulb because some plantain pickers stole all the ladders!

[Ken C.]

Don't know, but it seems whoever and how many they are, it will
take them eight months before everyone's light bulbs glow bright.
In the meanwhile of course it's par for the course to blame the US.

Story on Drudge (couldn't copy)

All the bitching never prevented them from taking money and aid from the U.S. and of course they gave all their politicians a healthy bonus. N/M that their electric system was f**ked up long before the hurricanes.

[aintright]

Never been there . But there is more to it than just a bunch of guys going in and setting poles and jerking wire . The place will need to be gridded off , some one will have to de ide what grids will get the most people on . then men and equipment dispersed , and often material for the rebuild can be a problem and there will be a period of figuring out who is getting the job done and who ain't and utilizing those crews that are getting it done . There are underground utilities to consider , you can't just go poking holes in the ground anywheres . Gas lines , water , sewage , and communications , and power lines underground . It is a hell of a broad task and the more finger pointing that goes on the slower it goes .
Hell I haven't even touched on providing food and shelter for the workers , and the wonderful red tape B.S. That goes along with it .
Kenneth