PHILIPSBURG:--- In a major step to protect consumers and restore fairness in electricity pricing, Member of Parliament Omar Ottley has formally submitted a draft Ministerial Regulation (MR) that will bring the price of electricity and the fuel used to generate it under direct Government economic supervision.
The draft MR introduces oversight of the fuel costs that drive electricity prices — including Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO), Light Fuel Oil (LFO), diesel, and industrial lubricants, which until now have been left completely unregulated, allowing unpredictable fluctuations to hit households and businesses without warning.
“We cannot continue allowing families and business owners to be blindsided by soaring power bills. This regulation will put transparency, accountability, and fairness back into the system. Despite motions to request the Government to draft the needed MR over a year ago, the Government has not presented a draft MR to date and therefore, I decided to do the work for the Government as the people deserve affordable electricity”, stated MP Ottley.
Key measures introduced in the draft ministerial regulation include a transparent, data-based formula to calculate the fuel clause ending unchecked cost pass throughs, a reduction of the fixed service charge, easing the monthly burden on consumers, tiered base rate billing, protecting lower usage customers, strict efficiency standards for GEBE operations inefficiencies can no longer be passed on to consumers, and monthly oversight and reporting through the Bureau Telecommunications and Post (BTP).
These measures directly stop the unchecked practice of transferring plant self-consumption, excessive technical losses, or unverified fuel expenses onto the people of St. Maarten. Under the proposed regulation, if GEBE does not meet industry efficiency standards, the company absorbs the cost, not the consumer.
Following the submission of the draft MR, MP Ottley also formally submitted the GEBE Petition to the Committee of Petitions, on behalf of the residents and business owners who signed it. The petition clearly demonstrates overwhelming public demand for relief and stronger Government oversight. “The people have spoken. I am standing with them. This is the beginning of real, structural reform, not talk, not promises, but action.” MP Ottley publicly acknowledges the cries of the 800+ signatories to the GEBE Petition, and encourages all to stay tuned for the calling of the Committee of Petitions Public Meeting, and to remain confident that the Minister of TEATT, Mrs. Grisha Heyliger-Marten, will implement the draft ministerial regulation at the soonest.
The Minister of TEATT will review the draft MR, marking a major turning point in how electricity pricing is governed and supervised in St. Maarten.
“I applaud the Minister for accepting the meeting with an open mind. The fact that she has now promised an internal review and will conduct it with urgency. “
