Terms set for OUR's JPS probe

The Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR) says it has completed the terms of reference for its recently announced investigation into the billing system of the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS).

Among the issues to be examined is the legitimacy of the high consumption billing complaints following the changeover from mechanical to digital meters.

According to the regulatory body, the probe will also address the process that JPS has followed in effecting the replacement of the meters, as well as the appropriateness of the power company's current back-billing policies and procedures.

The OUR said it has written the JPS requesting an initial set of data as part of the investigation.

The agency also disclosed it has been assured by Damian Obiglio, JPS chief executive officer, that the company will cooperate with the investigation.

Meanwhile, the OUR said a team leader is to be appointed shortly to select a team to assist in the investigative process.

It said the investigation should be completed by October 7, after which the findings on the probe would be made public.