Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority

As long as the Oversight Board offers virtually nothing to many PREPA bondholders, the bankruptcy is likely to be tied up for years in litigation.

Whether PREPA can pay the administrative expense claim doesn't affect its validity, the bond parties said.

Observers say a bankruptcy by Genera PR could complicate the PREPA bankruptcy.

The Puerto Rico Oversight Board asked Judge Laura Taylor Swain to rule now and move quickly to disclosure and confirmation hearings.

The department shifted funds that would have been invested in solar power to improve the island's electrical system.

The bondholders and board faced off over the creditors' belief they they are due the administrative expense claim.

Rep. Scott Fitzgerald said PROMESA indicated PREPA needed to regain access to capital markets and suggested a deal with bondholders would aid this.

The Oversight Board will continue to "prepare for a more dire outcome but continue to hope for the best," said Chairman Arthur Gonzalez.

The bondholders say the failure to pay them net revenues since the 2017 bankruptcy start gives rise to their administrative expense claim.

Bond parties say the board's failure to settle the PREPA bankruptcy has contributed to the system's unreliability.

At issue is whether PREPA bondholders may get a portion of the roughly $575 million available for unsecured claims against Puerto Rico's government

The bond parties argue that they are due the multi-billion-dollar fee from PREPA in addition to bond pricipal and interest.

Judge Laura Taylor Swain also approved the mediators hiring PJT Partners to be their financial advisor.

The Oversight Board's effort to confirm a "a legally infirm cramdown plan is patently flawed and will add years of litigation," the bondholders said.

The bankruptcy judge planned a hearing on the topic for March 19.

They say the reasons the court had given to continue the stay are no longer valid.

They say if the board continues its current approach there will be years more of litigation with outcomes showing the board's positions are "baseless."

The executive director of the Puerto Rico Oversight Board suggested non-settling bondholders might be offered recoveries of about 4% of the principal due.

U.S. District Court Judge Laura Taylor Swain extended the bankruptcy's litigation stay to March 24 as mediators expressed hope about progress on a deal.

Bondholders say the Puerto Rico Energy Bureau is legally required to set rates to cover all bond principal and pre- and post-petition interest due. The board disagrees.