Roger Sowry MP National Energy spokesman 8 July 2004

Minister should name electricity firms

Energy Minister Pete Hodgson should name the electricity companies that have been reluctant to offer low fixed-charge tariffs to lower-income users, says National's Energy spokesman, Roger Sowry.

He is commenting on an announcement today by the Minister that low fixed-charge tariffs will be made compulsory because he claims that some electricity companies 'had been playing games around offering such an option.'

"The Minister is quick to make these tariffs compulsory but slow to name the companies who were allegedly refusing to budge.

"Consumers have the right to know if their company is one of these."

Mr Sowry also says the Minister's proposed price increase to pay for the Electricity Commission's expansion and for reserve generation, announced today, will be the first of many increases.

"The design of the Electricity Commission is flawed and will inevitably lead to further price increases for all consumers."

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