Paulwell blasts OUR over 'low' J$2 million penalty for JPS

By Prince Moore 

   

Opposition Spokesman on Energy Phillip Paulwell has blasted the Office of Utilities Regulation for the low $2 million fine announced for the Jamaica Public Service Company if it fails to meet the August 12 deadline for full restoration of electricity across the island.

 

The OUR issued a directive on July 31, instructing JPS to repair its damaged network infrastructure and to follow its schedule to restore power to customers who lost power during Hurricane Beryl.

 

Failure to comply with the OUR directive within the time specified will render JPS liable to enforcement action pursuant to Section 9 of the Office of Utilities Regulation Act.

 

Mr. Paulwell believes the $2 million penalty is not enough given the extreme circumstances facing residents who have been without electricity for more than a month. 

 

"...The OUR came out with this statement and made a ridiculous announcement that the JPS will be fined $2 million, and the assumption was it would be US$2 million, but to impose a fine of J$2 million for not meeting that timeline - I don't think people understand how difficult it has been for people, especially those now in St. Elizabeth, and it is ludicrous and ridiculous," he complained.

 

With the JPS set to miss its August 12 timeline for full restoration, Mr. Paulwell suggested that the company must now be "absolutely certain about any new timelines that they are going to announce". 

 

The opposition spokesman wants a body to be established outside of the Office of Utilities Regulation to make an early determination of the extent of a disaster should one occur.

 

He said the body should be tasked with providing practical timelines for electricity restoration and to ensure there is no political interference in terms of where and how restoration is conducted.   

 

"I don't think the role of the OUR should be maintained as is. And that's the reason why I've called for emergency provisions in the electricity law that is being debated now, to deal with electricity during a disaster. And it cannot be business as usual in terms of the role of the OUR," he asserted. 

 

The JPS announced Thursday that it is on track to meet its August 12 deadline for restoration of electricity to customers in all parishes, except St. Elizabeth.

 

It has set a new date of August 31 for restoration of service to sections of St. Elizabeth, where its distribution infrastructure was severely damaged.