LNG could reduce bills - JPS official

Dave Lindo, Gleaner Writer

MANDEVILLE, Manchester:

SAM DAVIS, Jamaica Public Service's (JPS) head of government regulatory affairs, last Thursday assured members of the Manchester Parish Council that customers could start seeing a difference in their electricity bill when the company introduces liquefied natural gas plants by 2014.

Davis, was responding to councillors who had expressed concerns about the high bills that customers in the parish receive each month.

He explained that the main reason for the exorbitant bills was the high price of oil on the world market. Davis said oil price went up from US$10 a barrel in 2005 to US$100 a barrel in 2011. He pointed out that 65 per cent of the bill is fuel cost.

The council also voiced its displeasure at the methods of distribution of JPS bills, which, in some areas, are being delivered by contractors. The contractors drop the bills off at a central location in the communities. However, according to council members, some residents are not receiving their bills through this method.

Davis said it was too expensive to use the post office to distribute bills as, in two years, the post office has doubled its fee.

JPS, according to Davis, has introduced a green method where bills are being sent through emails, and customers can pay their bills online.

Meanwhile, the council, led by Mayor Brenda Ramsay, paid tribute to late council member, Barrington Miller, of the Craig Head division, who passed away recently.