While the bill was approved unanimously last Sunday by the Economic Development Commission, it causes controversy among parties.
The initiative includes a new amnesty or pardon of interests for consumers who have not yet paid their energy bill, while experts affirm this will cause a possible rise in the cost of the bill and even eventually derive in the privatization of the service, which the government denies.
The members of the Assembly are expected to include modifications to the bill on this Wednesday’s debate.
Revolución Ciudadana (RC) clarified in a statement that it supported the law in the Commission to avoid becoming an obstacle to the executive, but it proposed making changes to the measure, such as avoiding privatizations, for instance.
Among other observations, RC alerted that setting the price of the electrical bills cannot fall on the hand of private entities, as their interest will prevail over the social matters.
“Ecuador must not forget whose actions or omissions allowed the impunity of the true responsible for the current power crisis,” the statement said. The bloc will support the law if it really contributes to solving issues in the sector.
Ecuador is facing an energy crisis with blackouts, which were temporarily suspended but will be retaken in January 15th due to the draught and the lack of opportune investments, experts say.
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