Power fight over?

Press, 27 February 1981, Page 4

Power fight over?

The Christchurch City Council is likely to accept the 9 per cent increase in the bulk-power charge laid down by the Electricity Division of the Ministry of Energy. Cr Rex Lester, chairman of the public utilities committee, will recommend that his committee accept the increase at a special meeting next week. The committee had refused to pay the increase, due to be implemented on April 1, until it had had further negotiations with the Government. Yesterday Cr Lester and Cr Vicki Buck, chairman of the policy and finance committee, met the Minis-

ter of Energy’ (Mr Birch) in Wellington to discuss tariff reductions. “We were not successful in getting an immediate reduction but the Minister will discuss with the Electric Supply Authority changes to the bulk-tariff structure,” Cr Lester said. “Our refusal to pay the bulk-tariff agreement was not mentioned and there was no antagonism between us and the Minister. “We did not achieve all we wanted but we must be realistic and acknowledge that we cannot get a reduction overnight," he said. Mr Birch will also take up with the Health De-

partment the problem of air pollution in Christchurch and Mr Lester hoped that this would help the case for cheaper electricity. The possibility’ of financial assistance for the City’ Council in reticulating electricity’ to suppliers who previously were served by’ the Christchurch Gas Company will also be considered. “We have to lay a 66Kv ; cable from Addington tothe Municipal Electricity’ Department’s headquarters in Armagh Street. MrBirch will consider offsetting our expected $2.5 million costs," Mr Lester said.