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Diesel Detours, Pay Raises, and Coamo's Big Build · 787daily — Puerto Rico Every Morning

• 0:00
  This is 787daily, your Puerto Rico briefing for Thursday, October 22.
• 0:04
  Grab your coffee.
• 0:04
  We're starting with a number that hits the wallet.
• 0:07
  $32 million.
• 0:08
  That's what PREPA estimates it cost to burn diesel in place of liquefied natural gas between September 16 and October 12, after an LNG delivery ran late.
• 0:16
  When the gas doesn't show up, the diesel does, and the bill follows.
• 0:20
  And that gas story has a second chapter.
• 0:22
  The Oversight Board said Wednesday that the tolling agreement in the New Fortress gas supply contract was an indispensable condition of its approval, and that all parties accepted it.
• 0:30
  The board's message to New Fortress: the contract hinges on dock access for alternate suppliers.
• 0:35
  Now, who feels all this energy cost?
• 0:37
  Everybody who opens a power bill.
• 0:39
  The Chamber of Commerce's José Aparicio Laspina is asking the Oversight Board to approve an emergency fund to offset energy costs for at least three or four months.
• 0:47
  His timing matters: the next electricity rate increase has already been approved, and it's coming.
• 0:51
  Now a story that calls for a more serious tone.
• 0:54
  Hospital Auxilio Mutuo has agreed to fund up to 500,$000 for about 41,000 patients affected by the September 2023 cyberattack.
• 1:01
  The hospital will also invest more than $1.1 million in cybersecurity infrastructure.
• 1:06
  For the people whose information was exposed, this is a step toward making things right, and a promise of stronger protection ahead.
• 1:12
  Next, some good news for the folks who keep our streets safe.
• 1:16
  The governor has announced second-phase police pay raises, ranging from $162 and 92 cents to $268 and 17 cents a month.
• 1:24
  They're retroactive to August 1.
• 1:25
  6,449 officers will see the money on October 30, paid for with a 16 million dollar transfer.
• 1:31
  So mark your calendar, officers: payday is coming, and it comes with back pay.
• 1:35
  We'll finish in Coamo, where the cranes and crews are busy.
• 1:38
  The municipality is advancing 14 projects worth a combined 18 million, 315,$000 in construction and recovery work.
• 1:45
  The two biggest items are for sports lovers.
• 1:47
  $8.3 million goes to the Edwin "Puruco" Nolasco Coliseum, and $6 million goes to the Pedro Miguel Caratini Stadium.
• 1:54
  Sounds like Coamo is gearing up for some serious game days.
• 1:57
  That's your briefing for today.
• 1:58
  You can read every story in full at 787daily.com.
• 2:02
  I'm so glad you spent your morning with 787daily, and I'll see you tomorrow.
• 2:07
  And before you go, your Puerto Rico fun fact for today: Puerto Ricans have been United States citizens since 1917.