HAGÅTÑA (The Guam Daily Post) — The Guam Power Authority is reminding customers that this month will mark the end of their $100 monthly energy credits.
“GPA processed the $5.27 million payment from the Department of Administration for the August energy credit, and while we are pleased to make this announcement, we are already preparing our customers for the program’s end in September. Rather than waiting until then, we are encouraging them to proactively reduce their consumption now to minimize the $100 jump in their power bills come October,” GPA General Manager John Benavente stated in a release.
The credits were authorized through the Prugråman Ayuda Para I Taotao-ta Energy Credit Program, a government subsidy program that was first enacted last year and extended several months through subsequent legislation.
The program was initiated and extended in five-month intervals, throughout which power customers would receive $100 in monthly disbursements over five months, for a total of $500 in credits within each interval.
The program was proposed amid soaring energy costs due to the price of fuel used to power island generators. This cost is reflected in the Levelized Energy Adjustment Clause, or fuel surcharge, found in monthly power bills.
Effective June 1, ratepayers saw the first reduction in the LEAC since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. The LEAC dropped from 32 cents per kilowatt-hour to 23 cents per kilowatt-hour, and the rate was set to remain through January 2024, although the LEAC can be changed at any time.
Beginning with October billings, GPA customers will no longer receive their monthly $100 credit, although any unused credits will roll over.
The GPA release stated that according to Benavente, the last four months of the year tend to be high-demand periods for power due to schools reopening and it being the start of the holidays. The release stated that power customers can start planning their energy conservation efforts now to help save during the holiday months.
“Even with the reduced LEAC rate in effect, GPA is providing customers with proactive ideas for how to reduce their power bills. GPA provides ongoing energy-saving tips on its customer service website (guampowerauthority.com) and Facebook and Instagram pages (@guampowerauthority),” the GPA release stated.
Power customers in need of financial assistance are encouraged to apply for the Emergency Rental Assistance Program and the Guam Homeowners Assistance Fund Program, which are administered by the Department of Administration.
“Customers can call GPA’s Customer Service team at (671) 647-5787 for guidance on how to apply for these programs and/or make a payment arrangement plan for their account(s) in arrears,” the GPA release stated.
It’s unclear at this time if there will be any legislative push to extend the energy credit program.
When speaking on price increases at gas stations, Sen. Joe San Agustin, appropriations chairman at the Guam Legislature, also said lawmakers should look at the cost of power, and if gas price increases will translate to fuel price increases for GPA.
A Guam Power Authority meter is seen in Tamuning on Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023.
