JPS clears the air on rebate

THE JAMAICA Public Service (JPS) has shed light on the necessity of a rebate to its customers.

Head of Corporate Communications at JPS Winsome Callum said the need for a rebate arose from a miscalculation on the part of Petrojam.

She noted that the need for a rebate arose because Petrojam overcharged independent power producer, Jamaica Private Power Company (JPPC) for fuel purchased to generate electricity.

A statement dispatched by the JPS indicated that the fuel rebate was to ensure the return of the monies that had been overcharged by Petrojam, and which had been reflected on customers' bills.

OUR letter

In a letter dated July 23, 2012, the Office of Utilities Regulation directed JPS to facilitate the payment of a rebate to customers.

Callum stressed that the JPS had nothing to do with the costs of fuel to the JPPC and was simply being guided by the figures supplied to the JPS.

In a move to substantiate its position that the fuel overcharge was not due to any fault or wrongdoing on the part of JPS, the company referred to a letter from the OUR which states: "Based on the information, it would appear that the error occurred as a direct transaction between JPPC and Petrojam over the period. There is no evidence on hand to suggest that JPS contributed to this overpayment."