Electricity rate changes under review

The National Economic Council on Thursday, July 31, approved a contribution from the Ministry of Economy and Finance to the Electric Tariff Stabilization Fund for $32 million.
Minister of Economy and Finance Dulcidio de la Guardia explained that the subsidy was already budgeted and will be needed regardless of any change in electrical rates being considered by the government. He said that the rate changes are being studied at the request of President Juan Carlos Varela.
He said eventually rates will rise, but the government is seeking to minimize the impact on poorer segments of the population.
The council also endorsed $200,000 in humanitarian assistance from the Inter-American Development Bank to address pollution problems in the central provinces, mainly in La Villa River basin. De le Guardia said that this is a non-refundable contribution.