Dwight Alexander, Deputy Presidential Chief of Staff said the piece of legislation was sent back to the Olbiil Era Kelulau (OEK) with additional recommendations.The Senate and the House of Delegates approved the measure on Wednesday after a conference committee.It was sent to Remengesau for signature, but the president referred it back immediately after.In a letter to the OEK leaders dated June 11, said that the proposed bill should be refined and the changes in the procedure for PPUC to amend its rate structure should be removed.The measure appropriates $3,000,000 to provide relief to PPUC residential costumers using 500 kilowatt hours or less and to commercial customers using 2,000 kilowatt hours or less per month.ON June 6, the House of Delegates rejected the Senate version of the bill and the two houses went into a conference committee to iron out the kinks.The president said the bill should be scaled down and act on the problem at hand which is to authorize a $3 million grant from Palau to PUC funded with the proceeds of the Mega Bank airport improvement loan.
”It is unworkable to give the OEK 30 days to accept or reject proposed price increases, because if increases are rejected, alternative appropriations need to be provided,” Remengesau said.The subsidy when approved can provided subsidy for at least eight months, according to PPUC board chairman Kione Isechal.Isechal said the rate is based on projections of expected fuel increase.Last week a leadership meeting was held to address the energy crisis as a result of the increase in power rates which became effective June 1.As a result of the meeting , a $3 million subsidy was proposed which can take effect through a legislation.
