NewsWhore
07-22-2008, 03:40 PM
Economy, Planning and Development Minister Temistocles Montas has warned that the government will subsidize the energy sector only up to US$900 million, which is already US$250 million above what was budgeted for all of 2008. Montas says this means electricity rates might have to be readjusted.
Other sectors say that the energy service is padded with unnecessary labor costs and other costs that could be cut if there was political will. This would be an alternative to a raise in tariffs. Others say that more efforts and efficiency by power distributors to collect for power served would also make it unnecessary to increase the already high cost of service paid by those who pay for the service.
Montas, quoted in Hoy, defended the government's position and explained that the increase in energy subsidies greatly affects the nation's finances and urged energy officials to review the situation and accept that the government will not be able to give them all the money they need.
As a consequence of the rising cost of fuel, consumers have been suffering prolonged blackouts. The government has not been paying the generators the differential in fuel costs to keep the plants running.
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#2)
Other sectors say that the energy service is padded with unnecessary labor costs and other costs that could be cut if there was political will. This would be an alternative to a raise in tariffs. Others say that more efforts and efficiency by power distributors to collect for power served would also make it unnecessary to increase the already high cost of service paid by those who pay for the service.
Montas, quoted in Hoy, defended the government's position and explained that the increase in energy subsidies greatly affects the nation's finances and urged energy officials to review the situation and accept that the government will not be able to give them all the money they need.
As a consequence of the rising cost of fuel, consumers have been suffering prolonged blackouts. The government has not been paying the generators the differential in fuel costs to keep the plants running.
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#2)