As we told you last night the Belize Electricity Limited is asking
the Public Utlities Commission for a 13.4% average increase in rates. If you
oppose the request, you have until April 22nd to tell the PUC. The request is
part of what is called the annual tariff proceeding – “ARP”
for short – and unlike the TERP – the Threshold Event Review Application,
which was just rejected, this one takes this one takes months to conclude because
it is a far more involved process. This morning at a press conference - PUC
staffers said your comments are important because the Commission is there to
protect the consumer from the utility company.
E. Victor Lewis, PUC
“We are doing ARP. We have a longer term to interrogate and we are
saying, let’s put all the valuables on the table, let’s evaluate
those. If you deserve a raise we will recommend one. If you do not deserve a
raise, we will recommend another pattern of behavior. The buck stops at the
consumer. The consumer picks up all the bills, that is the deal. There is no
other deal. The most the PUC can do is to make sure that BEL is efficient and
that those bills are the lowest possible. That is what the PUC is after.”
Roberto Young, Chairman – PUC
“The legislation tells you that you must take in hand the concerns
of the consumer. The legislation tells you that, dictates to you. He is upfront
here. He is up front here.”
Again that date for submission is April 22nd.you can fax your comments
to 223-6818 or email them to info@puc.bz or you can also send it in writing
to 41 Gabourel Lane, P.O. Box 300 in Belize City. After comments are received,
the PUC will issue its initial decision by May 2nd.
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