Paulwell demands full transparency from JPS on bill increase
/ Our Today
administrator
Shadow Minister on Energy, Phillip Paulwell, has issued a forceful challenge to Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) following its notice of a 7 per cent bill increase attributed to Hurricane Melissa.
Paulwell highlights profound inconsistencies in the utility’s explanation. “JPS’s assertion that more expensive fuel was used for ‘some days before’ the hurricane is a revelation never before stated by its chief executive.
“In its Bill Update statement released to customers on December 15, the JPS did not indicate the number of days during which it utilised more expensive diesel fuel. This demands immediate substantiation.
“The JPS must provide the specific dates for the alleged decommissioning of regular LNG and renewable plants, and clearly state which billing cycles used estimated readings,” said Paulwell.
He further questions JPS’s role, noting, “The notice inappropriately speaks for Independent Power Producers (IPPs). We call upon the IPPs to publicly declare they are not in collusion with JPS regarding this charge adjustment and to independently provide clarity on the increase in the IPP fuel price.”
Paulwell also implicates the Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR), stating, “The OUR has clearly sanctioned this increase. Its complicity in this opaque process is unacceptable.”
Referencing his warning in late October of impending bill shocks, Paulwell contends these specific disclosures he demanded then, but remain unfulfilled, are now critical. He also demands clarity on whether an offsite data storage failure, as alluded to in the JPS notice, contributed to JPS’s inability to access meter readings required for accurate billing.
“The burden of proof lies entirely with JPS and the OUR. Without full transparency on these points, the increase lacks legitimacy and places an unjust burden on consumers already under strain,” Paulwell said.
The actions of JPS have highlighted an urgent need for the complete disaggregation of its bills, to allow customers greater transparency and understanding how they are billed and what they are paying for.
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