The OUR’s role after Hurricane Melissa

THE EDITOR, Madam:

We thank Mr Javon Moatt for his letter published on November 12, 2025, and welcome the opportunity to clarify the Office of Utilities Regulation’s (OUR) role and actions following Hurricane Melissa.

Our work began well before the hurricane. At the OUR-organized Director-General’s Stakeholders event in March 2025, disaster preparedness and resilience were the focus. The major utilities shared lessons learned from Hurricane Beryl and plans for the 2025 season. The OUR emphasized reducing single points of failure and improving collaboration among providers. At the start of the season in June 2025, all major utilities submitted Business Continuity Plans, which the OUR reviewed to ensure adequacy.

The OUR’s responsibilities include:

• Overseeing utility preparedness and restoration efforts.

• Safeguarding consumer interests, including ensuring timely information and fair billing.

• Making recommendations that will aid in timely recovery of utility services.

• Advising the Government.

• Acting as arbitrator in disputes.

• Addressing consumer complaints.

The OUR’s role is multi-faceted and includes not just customer matters but also utility and national considerations.

Some actions taken post-Hurricane Melissa

Electricity disaster fund: The OUR approved JPS’s withdrawal from the Electricity Disaster Fund (EDF) to accelerate restoration. An independent assessor will monitor and account for spending in accordance with EDF rules.

Daily monitoring: We receive daily updates from major utilities on restoration progress and related issues.

Field visits: OUR teams, headed by OUR’s Director-General, Ansord Hewitt, toured severely affected parishes to assess damage and restoration activities.

We note Mr Moatt’s concern regarding billing. Anticipating such issues, the OUR proactively engaged utilities on bill treatment especially for customers in the hardest-hit areas. Written responses have been requested, and relief measures will be communicated publicly by the utilities and the OUR. While no force majeure provisions currently exist for customers in the event of a disaster, the OUR is committed, within the limits of its authority, to ensuring considerate treatment to customers during this recovery period.

Consumers with billing concerns should contact their utility provider or OUR’s Consumer Affairs Unit at consumer@our.org.jm. Your feedback helps us address issues effectively.

We encourage Mr. Moatt and all customers to visit our social media pages and our Hurricane Melissa webpage at http://www.our.org.jm for daily updates, including an interactive map showing restoration progress by parish.

The OUR remains steadfast in its mandate to protect consumers and ensure accountability. We appreciate the public’s vigilance and invite continued engagement as we work toward full utilities restoration, while ensuring fair treatment for customers.

ELIZABETH BENNETT MARSH

Public Education Specialist

OUR