Consumers and electricity rates

Well, the first step to a rate application by Barbados Light & Power and the prospect of higher electricity rates for consumers has begun.
It takes the form of an application by the company for a change in the way its accounts are prepared for rate hearings and a determination of depreciation rates which would be used in any application.
Given that this initial application has been made at the start of the year and will reportedly last four days it is very conceivable that a rate application will be made afterwards and any possible rate increases become effective in 2009.
This application process comes in a year when life for the consumer is expected to become worst rather than better.
At the time of writing this post BANGO was the only known Intervenor (not even the Office of Public Counsel) has taken an active role in this matter. Olson Robertson, one of the Intervenors in recent hearings, was reportedly making an effort to obtain Intervenor status.
BARCRO's principal spokesperson Malcolm Gibbes-Taitt has reportedly indicated a desire to see the Fair Trading Commission address the issue of remuneration for Intervenors dealt with in a clear and transparent manner.
Against BANGO is pitted the legal might of Sir Henry Forde. The five-member commission is headed by Sir Neville Nicholls, a former president of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB).
The Fair Trading Commission has come under public and private criticism in recent years by some Intervenors over the way it has conducted its business.
Consumers with expertise in engineering and corporate accountancy are advised to support BANGO (Barbados Association of Non-Governmental Organisations) with their time in the interest of mounting an effective response to the application by the Barbados Light & Power Co. Ltd.