Whitefish Energy still seeking $100M in payments

Whitefish Energy is still seeking payment for the work it performed after Puerto Rico was struck by a pair of hurricanes last summer. The Whitefish-based firm is now asking the courts to help collect the money it’s owed for helping repair the island’s electrical grid.

According to a complaint filed April 9 in Puerto Rico’s U.S. District Court, Whitefish Energy is seeking to stop payments of more than $2 million to Filsinger Energy Partner, which is serving as a financial adviser to the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority. Whitefish Energy wants those payments put on hold until its invoices are filed with the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

In its complaint, Whitefish Energy says it has submitted invoices to Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority totaling $141 million. To date, Whitefish Energy says the company and its subcontractors are still owed $100 million.

The court filing states that Whitefish Energy has provided all of the requested documentation needed for reimbursement from FEMA. Yet five months after the company’s contract was terminated, the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority has yet to submit that documentation to FEMA.

“Even though Whitefish Energy Holdings was the first on the island to begin repairs to Puerto Rico’s transmission and distribution lines, PREPA’s professionals have not dedicated the necessary time and resources to prepare the documentation required to seek FEMA reimbursement for Whitefish Energy Holdings’ work.”

Whitefish Energy argues that timely reimbursement would benefit all parties involved: Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority will receive reimbursement of the $36.9 million it has already paid Whitefish Energy and it can pay the outstanding bills to Whitefish Energy, “which will reduce dollar-for-dollar the amount of Whitefish Energy’s significant administrative claim against PREPA.”

Controversy and criticism surrounded the terms of Whitefish Energy’s initial contract to repair the island’s electrical grid following Hurricane Maria in September 2017. Work included repairing about 200 miles of transmission lines and towers.

The company, founded by Whitefish resident Andy Techmanski, was awarded the $300 million deal, which included a rate of $319 per hour for linemen and a clause that barred review or audit of the deal.

Officials who approved the contract say Whitefish Energy was one of two companies that offered immediate services after the hurricane.

That deal was terminated Nov. 30, 2017, following scrutiny by federal and congressional officials.