Paulwell against JPS' decision to issue estimated bills

Opposition Spokesperson on Energy, Phillip Paulwell, is calling for the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) to reverse its decision to issue estimated electricity bills for this month.

In a statement on Friday, Paulwell described the move as "unconscionable" and said it would "provide the company with an undeserved windfall".

Paulwell noted that many customers are still experiencing power disruptions due to the effects of Hurricane Beryl and said estimated bills, which represent the average of three months of billing, would cause unnecessary hardship.

“The decision to issue estimated bills comes at a particularly inopportune time when consumers have been significantly impacted by widespread disruptions in power supply, with many experiencing no power at all due to the recent hurricane. It is unreasonable and unfair to burden consumers with estimated charges during a period of such hardship and uncertainty,” said Paulwell. 

Paulwell also noted that the company's meter reading and billing systems have been digitised, and he argued that the rationale for resorting to estimated billing is untenable.

“Even if their ICT [information and communication technology] infrastructure experienced disruptions due to the hurricane, it is incumbent upon the company to have these issues rectified promptly. The reliance on estimated bills under such circumstances not only questions the company's preparedness but also its commitment to providing reliable and accurate billing to its consumers,” he said.

Paulwell also questioned whether consumers will be reimbursed the overcharged amounts with interest once the actual usage is determined.

He's calling for the Office of Utilities Regulation to intervene to prevent the JPS issuing estimated bills.

On Friday, the JPS told customers "not to worry, your actual usage will be reflected on your next meter reading. Any over-estimation or under-estimation will therefore be taken into account for your next bill."

Follow The Gleaner on X and Instagram @JamaicaGleaner and on Facebook @GleanerJamaica. Send us a message on WhatsApp at 1-876-499-0169 or email us at onlinefeedback@gleanerjm.com or editors@gleanerjm.com.