P.U.C. issues order to B.E.L.

The Public Utility Commission made good on its promise and has issued its Compliance Order to B.E.L. The document was served on the electricity company on Tuesday and today the P.U.C. made the document public. The order outlines that Belize Electricity Limited must provide services requiring no installation of poles, but extension of the distribution line, within five working days of the receipt of application; that electricity services requiring the installation of up to two poles must be completed within ten days; while those with two or more poles be done in a timely and expedient manner. The P.U.C. also told B.E.L. that it must “immediately reimburse any unapproved or inappropriate tariffs, fees or charges levied against such persons who requested electricity served on or after July first, upon request … by such persons.” B.E.L. is required to furnish the P.U.C., when requested, with related records showing its compliance. The P.U.C. is accepting written complaints from customers who believe their “reasonable requests for electricity services” were not satisfied. In anticipation of the order, on Monday B.E.L. issued a press release saying that it will take any legal measure necessary to protect the company and will file an appeal with the P.U.C. and the Supreme Court if needed. The compliance order can be viewed in its entirety at the commission’s website: www dot puc dot bz.