PUC Outlines Expert Findings

John Avery

When B.E.L. objected to an initial decision by the commission, an independent expert was appointed to review that conclusion and make recommendations to determine regulated values, tariffs, fees and charges to be included in the final decision.  Ambrose Tillett is the Director of Electricity with the P.U.C.

John Avery, Chairman, Public Utilities Commission

“One of the other observations that the expert made was that he recognized that one of the reasons why the commission took a very firm line on Caye Caulker was that in 2017, BEL made very large additions to its rates base.  It turns out that BEL increase its rates base by fifty-three million dollars and the commission felt that such a large addition of assets which did not include Caye Caulker was really not sufficiently beneficial to rate payers.  And so one of the suggestions that the expert had suggested is that the PUC should prescribe a formal way in which BEL submits and rationalizes and prioritizes its capital investments, so that we don’t have this situation occur again where a substantial amount of assets are coming in to the rate base but the commission is not of the view that those assets materially are going to impact customers.  Yes, they may improve reliability, yes they may increase access to electricity by some customers but the PUC is always cognizant of the fact that these investments must be affordable over time and sustainable over time.”