Attorney argues FTC erred in rate decision

The Fair Trading Commission (FTC) is wrong on multiple aspects of its decision on the Barbados Light & Power Company Limited’s (BL&P) application for a rate increase. That is what BL&P’s attorney, Ramon Alleyne KC, submitted this morning at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre as the company argued its case for the FTC to review and vary its February 15 decision on the matter. Among the areas Alleyne argued that the FTC erred in was its ruling on BL&P’s Self Insurance Fund (SIF), which the utility company’s counsel asserted the regulator had no jurisdiction to act on. However, as was the case during the substantive rate hearing, which ended last year, intervenors argued that BL&P had provided new evidence that the FTC should change its decision and related order. Among those speaking in the pre-lunch session was newly-appointed Public Counsel Douglas Frederick, who urged the FTC not to “disturb” its decision, as it was fair and engendered public confidence. Other intervenors attorney Tricia Watson, finance manager Ricky Went, and Lt Col Trevor Browne, who represents the Barbados Coalition of Cooperatives also argued against BL&P’s call for a rate decision reversal, including in relation to the SIF and energy storage device. At the start of the day’s proceedings, FTC Deputy Chairman Donley Carrington, who is chairing the rate review process, said all parties would be given a chance to put their positions, with the hearing to be concluded on Wednesday. The FTC panel will then consider submissions and give its ruling. (SC)