CURE wants flat electricity rate

Lobby group, Citizens United to Reduce the cost of Electricity (CURE), is again calling for the Government to introduce a flat electricity rate for minimum wage earners.

The group also wants the Government to lobby the Jamaica Public Service (JPS) Company for a reduction of rates to low income communities, hospitals, small businesses, government offices and parish councils.

Co-founder of the group, Betty Ann Blaine, says although the Government yesterday announced efforts aimed at lowering the cost of electricity, those measures are only a small step.

She noted that while she welcomes the announced reductions, the benefits to domestic users of electricity are minimal.

Describing the measures as a token, Blaine also points out that commercial users will not benefit significantly from the reduced rates.

Among the measures announced is a $250 incentive for persons who pay their light bills early and a 25 per cent discount on the non-fuel tariff.

Meanwhile, Blaine says CURE is still awaiting a date from the court as to when it will hear the appeal the JPS had filed challenging the Supreme Court ruling that the company’s monopoly license is illegal.

She says it is not too late for the government to change its mind about joining the light and power company in its appeal against the Supreme Court ruling.

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