Business owner Jack Grobowsky owner of Freeport Resorts speaks to local media
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(Statement) Freeport, The Bahamas - The Coalition of
Concerned Citizens (CCC) is calling for
the Regulator the Grand Bahama Port Authority to make no decision on the rate
plan proposal from the Grand Bahama Power/ Emera until the Public is thoroughly
informed about the proposed electricity base rate increase. Throughout Grand Bahama our island is
littered with closed Businesses, closed Hotels, closed Golf Courses, closed
Shopping Centers, closed Apartment Complexes and Abandon homes. Businesses on
our Island are already adversely affected by high electricity base rates.
What is presently
being considered by the Regulator, and based on our meetings with the
Regulatory Committee, it seems that the Chairman for the Regulatory Committee
wants to go ahead to grant electricity base rate increases that will mainly
affect Businesses on Grand Bahama. We stand to be corrected if that is not
so. The Commercial and Industrial sector accounts
for 66-70 percent of the usage of power generated, any increase in the base
rate will increase expenses to businesses, increase VAT payments and increase
the cost of living for the Citizens of the Island.
In the Regulatory
Framework & Operation Protocols document that governs the Regulator and
Grand Bahama Power Company \ Emera, there should be proper Public consultation
and information sharing of the rate plan proposal. According to Section 5.2
Review Process, as of November 25, 2015 the following has not been shared done by
the Regulator;
a) Publishing in the
newspaper of the summary of the rate plan proposal from GBPC \ Emera
b) Public access to the
rate plan proposal on GBPA website
c) Copies of the rate
plan proposal available for Public viewing at the GBPA office.
Further to Section 5.2
the review process refers to the GBPC West End and East End Agreements with the
Government. This section clearly states that GBPC cannot charge electricity
rates higher than that charged thru out the Commonwealth of the Bahama without
Government approval.
Based
on this information we feel that the Regulatory Committee cannot make any
decision on the rate plan proposal until there is complete and proper Public consolidation
and information sharing.
