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14 March 2000 |
Council Makes Electricity Submission
The Christchurch City Council has said the public is suspicious about effective competition between electricity retailers.
It will say this in a submission to the Ministerial Inquiry into the Electricity Industry and will add that there was a perception by consumers that transferring companies is difficult and likely to cause disruption and delays to power bills.
There were also suspicions by consumers that the new company would increase prices shortly after the transfer.
The submission says there was difficulty in comparing pricing contracts and a general ignorance of opportunities available.
It was suggested that the Commerce Commission should perform an annual analysis of the disclosures and penalties for non-compliance.
The City Council will call for greater involvement by the Government in setting reasonable price, margin or return targets in Government-owned retail and generator companies.
It wants a re-evaluation of the perceived efficiencies arising from the split of ECNZ into smaller government-owned companies.
The Strategy and Resources Committee approved the submission yesterday.
Further information:
Richard Simmons
City Council Financial Analyst
941 8817.