“PLP Welcomes Reduction In Electricity Bills”
The PLP said they welcomed the “reduction in electricity bills” as “beginning in January 2020, 95% of Bermudian families will see a reduction in their energy bills.”
“This holiday season, we are committed to focusing on the sure and steady progress we’re making for Bermudian policies,” said Acting Leader Walter Roban.
“Over the last few years, we’ve been working to bring down electricity prices and I’m happy that as of January 2020, those reductions will be realized. We expect reductions of at least 5% on energy over 2020 and we expect the vast majority of Bermudians to receive reductions.
Minister Roban continued, “Across the region, electricity rates are going up, but, we are fortunate to be able to see them come down here in Bermuda. Bermudian families will see decreases in their bills. The reduction will reflect on your January 2020 BELCO bill.”
“In the new year, we will continue to focus on reducing the cost of living for Bermudians,” Minister Roban concluded.
The Minister’s comments follow after the Regulatory Authority of Bermuda announced that “effective January 1, 2020, retail tariffs for Bermuda’s electricity sector will decrease across customer groups.”
An ‘Illustrative Bill’ from BELCO shows the general impact of the changes [PDF here]:
Meanwhile everything else goes up!
Buy now while shops last!
Thanks for nothing you bunch of incompetents.
Are you really patting yourselves on a paltry 2% reduction whilst you jacked up just about every government tax and fee in the last two budgets?
My land tax went up 30% in the mast belong cycle. Will the PLP write an article praising themselves for that as well?
Any how much of this is contributed to the PLP reducing tax on fuel which is passed directly to the customer?
Wow I get $6 bucks back? That’s a whopping $72 a year I can’t do anything with that money as my other costs have gone up hundreds of dollars you $tupid PLP politicians!
LOL…that is all.
“Minister Roban continued, “Across the region, electricity rates are going up, but, we are fortunate to be able to see them come down here in Bermuda.”
What “region”? We are 700 miles from the US and about 1,000 from the Caribbean Sea! What “region” is your Bermuda part of? My Bermuda is isolated, just a speck in the ocean.
So the avg family is going to save $5.37 A MONTH!!! lol
And
“In the new year, we will continue to focus on reducing the cost of living for Bermudians,” Minister Roban concluded.
Continue?!?! LMAO! Bie stop the jokes!
a) you haven’t reduced the cost of living
b) this reduction is thanks to an independent body not your party
“In the new year, we will continue to focus on reducing the cost of living for Bermudians,” Other than this, assuming that the PLP had anything to do with this reduction, what else has been done by the PLP to reduce the cost of living? All I have seen are increases.
” what else has been done by the PLP to reduce the cost of living?”
Sugar tax to reduce the consumption of sugar laden products and Payroll Tax to reduce the amount of disposable income, to name just two.
Damn! You’re right. I forgot about those.
Surely the Minister did not make this grand announcement with a straight face.
The 2020-2021 Budget is well underway. Just wait till you see the increases in that.
2 1/2% decrease in base power bill. PUH!!! You can’t be serious.
Still not enough of a reduction after a decade of confusing fuel adjustment costs, government and RA taxes.
The RA has said this, belco said it, govt said it and now plp/govt has said it again … we get the message!
This is awesome! I am going to have $4.50 more a month to spend on other things.
The PLP celebrating a paltry 5% reduction in BELCo costs which equates to a paltry $50 – $72 per year savings while on the other side they INCREASE tax burden! And then claim that the PLP is working hard to reduce cost of living? You can’t write this stuff! We must be living in Wakanda!
You want to reduce cost of living?
Reduce travel spending by your parryso you don’t have to tax as much.
Remove the BS sugar tax or if you want to promote healthy living at least reduce tax on Vegetables, fruit water etc.
Lower import duty on most everyday items from 25% and raise the duty on others that have 0% or low duty to compensate for revenue lost. Nobody should get a free ride because the savings on zero duty items are not being passed on to the consumer in most cases. Also do away with zero duty category for hotels bars etc or special projects because the exemptions are often abused and nobody is policing it. All projects should be forced to pay something even if it is 5% .
Who is checking or doing an audit to see if hotels, bars and other special projects that are given duty exception are ONLY bring in product that is used onsite and they are not taking advantage and ordering extra for staff, management, owners etc..Answer: NOBODY. That’s right NOBODY is checking! Not blaming PLP as this has gone on for decades. Why pay if you don’t have to? Meanwhile when some pay zero, others pay more than their fair share.
Minister , now you know if you didn’t before.
Mr. Roban , I think you are missing something in your boast about lowering the BELCO bill. This “massive” decrease that saves me $50.00 to $60.00 a year but the “slight” increase in land tax which is costing me $900.00 a year you have failed to mention anything about. Maybe you could elaborate on that for the voter’s assistance.
Are the electricity bill reductions for businesses as well? Does that mean I can keep my Sweat Saunas on? And keep my wine cooler on not having to turn it off after each days end? I wonder.