Minister Considering Legal Action About FAR

October 11, 2023

The RA will stand by its original provisional decision on the Fuel Adjustment Rate [FAR], Minister Roban said, adding that “therefore legal action must be considered to address this decision” as the increase “is not in the public’s best interests” and “does nothing but cause hardship.”

BELCO previously advised that “with the approval of the Bermuda Regulatory Authority [RA]” beginning on October 1st, 2023 there will be an increase in the FAR, which will cause an increase in everyone’s electricity bills.

Minister of Home Affairs Walter Roban, explained, “Yesterday, I suggested to the RA a possible option for their consideration which would bring some relief for a period of time following the increase of the FAR. I have since been informed that the RA has rejected any change to the provisional action, nor will it consider any other options, and it will stand by its original provisional decision on the FAR, as outlined on September 27th.”

“Therefore, legal action must be considered to address this decision. This increase is not in the public’s best interests, and this decision does nothing but cause hardship.

“The ripple effect will be massive, stifling job growth and economic recovery, hitting seniors and hardworking families hardest and discouraging investment in tourism development at a critical time.”

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Comments (23)

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  1. Ringmaster says:

    With legal action now in play, should we pay the latest bill as submitted by Belco, or deduct 20% until the matter is resolved?

  2. Roll the movie says:

    If Belco back down this will have all been orchestrated and staged to win votes by the PLP…remember PLP Caines and Famous at Belco. You either take legal action or don’t. To publicly announce you are considering is absolute nonsense.

    • 365 says:

      I don’t know why everyone is complaining. Did you all not get your 4 free LED bulbs. Pop them in and they will save you $16 a year or $1.33 per month!

    • Lion Paw says:

      Wow! How shallow and irresponsible to shed such foolishness. Avoid the reality of RA rejecting any change to the provisional action nor will it consider options!
      Can you read? Do you you? Or is your primary goal to divide and conquer the ill informed???

      • Roll the movie says:

        according to section 5 of the Bermuda regulatory Act 2011, the minister doesn’t have to sue to enact change, so why the threatening to sue.

        • Joe Bloggs says:

          Why is the Minister threatening to sue?

          Because it looks good politically.

        • Red Pill says:

          He either does not know what he is doing or it’s all for the drama.

  3. Clear View says:

    So the Minister told the independent regulator to change the rates and denied that request? Is that illegal for the Minister to do?
    Sounds like the Minister just landed himself in his own legal action. (Let’s grab some popcorn for this one.)

  4. Kathy says:

    Best way to hit back at BELCo is to take 12 bills to Sunnyside solar and ask how many solar panels you need. Then take that to the bank and get a loan. It will be much cheaper to pay the bank than to pay BELCo.

    Death spiral to the utility if we all do what we can afford.

    • Double s says:

      Yeah, cause everyone can afford a $20k loan. Genius!

  5. Hilarious! says:

    Lord above forbid, what will happen if Bermuda gets an offshore wind farm and electric rates double or more?

    • Joe Bloggs says:

      What if we build a new House of Assembly 10 or 12 miles off shore and then put the wind farm between the new House of Assembly and these fair isles?

  6. Joe Bloggs says:

    ” … legal action must be considered to address this decision” as the increase “is not in the public’s best interests” and “does nothing but cause hardship.””

    But the RA was created to be independent of the Bermuda Government … the Regulatory Authority Act 2011 was created by the PLP Government

  7. Guy Carri says:

    Belco fuel cost goes up 50% and solar buyback gets reduced 50%.

    How is that not illegal?

    Tell me I need to pay more for electricity, but mine (that I generate) is worth less.

  8. Paid off government says:

    Nice place to vent on a platform but Bermudians have no teeth! If this happens in another country it would be riots in the Street! I can’t wait to leave this weak country permanently!
    You can have it!

    • Joe Bloggs says:

      *waives goodbye to “Paid off government”*

      • Paid off government says:

        Idiot! Your the perfect example!

        • tucker says:

          Moron. It’s *you’re*.

        • Joe Bloggs says:

          Ah, you are still here. Please leave. Neither I nor my fellow Bermudians want people like you here.

    • Red Pill says:

      Passive people in this island. Government entities and others in prominent positions get away with whatever they like. SMH!

  9. Bright and Early says:

    What? Why did the government just step in now. Because people were picketing in front of Belco on Monday? The public and of course the government knew about the rate increase for at least 3 weeks now maybe more. After watching the business men on television last night explaining how much their bill has already increased is ridiculous and like they said quite a few of the smaller business’s will close because of this increase it is sad to think that we are not being supported by our government!

    • Joe Bloggs says:

      Just because the President of the company is a former PLP Government Cabinet Minister is no reason to believe that the PLP Government knew anything before the rest of us

  10. I'm just saying says:

    He’s saying that now until somebody pulls him in and taps him on the shoulder and then he will bale on everyone.