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Forget Fuel Factor; Why is My Consumption so High?

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Turks and Caicos Residents Reject FortisTCI Statement on High Electricity Bills

 

By Deandrea Hamilton

Editor

 

#TurksandCaicos, July 5, 2022 – “The ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict continues to affect the supply and cost of fuel worldwide, and significant increases in fuel prices are expected to continue in the upcoming months. This translates into higher electricity bills.

We empathize with the challenges customers are facing due to higher electricity bills at this time. While the cost of fuel is beyond our control, we want to help ease the burden as much as possible. We remain committed to keeping customers informed about these global trends.”

FortisTCI on Friday issued a statement, contained within were these words meant to explain that the war in Ukraine, though far flung from these tiny islands and cays, continues to have disastrous trickle down impact including driving up the cost of oil.

Residents however, responded in public forums and to Magnetic Media that while they anticipated the fuel factor rate on their electricity bills would have been higher, they are stumped about why their consumption rose by hundreds of kilowatt hours.

“My usage has gone up 538 kWh when every day is the same in my house.  Been working from home and homeschooling since March 2020 and this is the highest bill I’ve had in the 10 years I’ve lived in my home,” said one Providenciales customer.

Many shared similar accounts; firm on the point that habitually, nothing had changed and they believe FortisTCI is either taking advantage of the oil crises to boost its bottom line or that the system of the energy provider has experienced a glitch.

“Every light in my house in on a timer.  I have switched from central Ac to split units and I only use one of them every day.  FortisTCI has a problem and they need to hurry up and send their “our bad” email because these bill can’t be real.”

Across the nation, there are questions about the consumption hours, which have rocketed.  We did enquire of FortisTCI about that fact at the onset; and upon receiving their statement which still does not address that particular issue, we have asked again.

There has been no response to date.

Meanwhile, we are receiving many angry reports.  One woman said, even at her highest ever consumption, her bill came in under the current bill which for her and her young son is $1,200.  No one is home all day.  I am not doing anything differently.  She calls herself a creature of habit.  And hers is a common refrain.  Another family said, when they noticed the trend for higher electricity bills in April, they made the switch from an electric to gas stove.  Their bill nearly tripled despite; also a common claim that even behaviours to scale back have worked expensively in the reverse.

“Due to fuel price increases in the month of May, the fuel factor for Grand Turk and Salt Cay customers increased from $0.1672 to $0.2053, and from $0.1962 to $0.2405 for Providenciales, North and Middle Caicos customers, respectively. These represent an increase of 23%, which are reflected on June electricity bills. For example, if the fuel factor on May’s bill was $100, this would change to $123 on June’s bill, provided that the customer’s consumption remained the same month over month.

The fuel factor rate for customers on South Caicos was $0.2299 in May and an increase in the rate is also expected. The fuel factor rate is calculated monthly as outlined in the Electricity Ordinance. As FortisTCI is a regulated electricity company, the fuel factor rate is sent to the TCI Government’s Energy and Utilities Commissioners Office each month for authentication,” explained FortisTCI.

In another instance, a unit was empty all of June, but said the customer – the consumption was three times more.  How, she asked?

Residents at the Millennium Heights community meeting on Thursday were calling for real representation; for those responsible to face FortisTCI on their behalf.

There are at least two government agencies which can investigate; they sit under two government ministries.  The Consumer Protection Department which falls under E Jay Saunders and the Ministry of Finance and the Energy and Utilities Commissioner, who falls within the ministry of Home Affairs, where Otis Morris is the cabinet minister.

Fortis makes a promise about the unexpected and exorbitant bills…

“The following measures are now in effect:

No penalties on late payments during the months of July and August 2022.  No disconnections for balances less than 60 days overdue from July to August 2022.  Payment plans on a case-by-case basis.

To further assist customers, FortisTCI will launch a series of interactive online educational sessions on how to manage energy use.

We encourage customers to keep track of their electricity use by signing up for My Online Account. Visit www.fortistci.com to register. My Online Account allows customers to set budget limits on their electricity usage and receive alerts when their consumption limit is approaching.”

FortisTCI said sadly the trend, according to their supplier, will not change when it comes to the historically high fuel costs and the company pointed to alternative energy as a way out.

“We believe that renewable energy is a pathway to lower energy costs and we are working with TCI Government to implement supportive regulations. As your partner in energy, we will continue to expand our renewable energy programs and reduce our dependence on diesel fuel.”

Residents, were advised that to be announced are dates for online energy use educational sessions.

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DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM REGULATIONS INTRODUCES “RATE YOUR RIDE” SYSTEM FOR TOURISTS VISITING THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS

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FROM THE MINISTRY OF TOURISM

 

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, 27th March, 2024 – Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands: The Department of Tourism Regulations is proud to unveil the “Rate Your Ride” system, a new initiative designed to enhance the vacation experience for tourists exploring our picturesque islands.

The “Rate Your Ride” system empowers tourists to provide valuable feedback on the quality of transportation services they receive while visiting the Turks and Caicos Islands. Through an easy-to-use online form, tourists can rate factors such as cleanliness, comfort, safety, and professionalism of drivers, helping us to assure the highest quality of service standards across all modes of transportation.

By participating in the “Rate Your Ride” system, tourists play a crucial role in shaping the future of transportation services in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Their feedback will enable us to identify areas for improvement and ensure that every visitor enjoys safe, comfortable, and convenient travel throughout their stay in the Turks and Caicos.

The code will also be publicly accessible through the cooperation of volunteer drivers who will make the rating code available in their vehicles. Flyers and stickers displaying the code will be distributed at hotels, resorts and airports. The mandated display of these codes is expected to align with the rollout of our tourism regulations in 2025.

For more information about the “Rate Your Ride” system and other initiatives by the Department of Tourism Regulations, please visit gov.tc/tourismregulations/or contact us via telephone at 946-4970 and email at tourismregulations@gov.tc.

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THE DEPARTMENT OF BEHAVIOURAL HEALTH SERVICES CONDEMNS RECORDING OF PERSONS WHO ARE IN CRISIS

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FROM THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

 

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, 27th March 2024– The Department of Behavioral Health Services is appealing to the general public to refrain from recording and circulating videos of persons who may appear to be experiencing a mental health crisis. Anyone can experience a mental health crisis at some point in their life. According to the World Health Organization, 1 in 4 people will experience a mental health problem in any given year. Persons may struggle with very common conditions such as Anxiety and Depression or be diagnosed with more serious conditions like Bipolar Disorder or Psychosis.

“There are a lot of misunderstandings about various mental health conditions and how they may manifest. In addition, there are a number of negative perceptions and misconceptions that society exhibits towards people with mental health problems. However, just as we would show care and concern for someone diagnosed with Cancer, or any other physical illness, in the same way, we need to be as caring and helpful to persons with mental illnesses”– stated Director of the Department of Behavioral Health Services, Dr. Alicia Malcolm.

The Department is urging the public to call the following numbers if you see someone who appears to be experiencing a mental health crisis:

338-5473/338-3616: Providenciales, North or Middle Caicos

338-3614/338-3612: Grand Turk, South Caicos, Salt Cay

338-6301: Nights and Weekends

If someone is putting themselves or someone else in immediate, serious risk of harm, call 911.

The Department of Behavioral Health services is here to help and provides the following services which are free and confidential:

Location of above services:

o             Sam Harvey Building, Down Town, Providenciales,

o             Primary Health Care Department, Cheshire Hall Medical Center, Providenciales 

o             Department of Behavioural Health, Duncombe Alley, Grand Turk

 

Let’s all do our part in creating a community where people with mental health problems feel respected, supported and cared for. 

For additional information, please visit the Ministry of Health’s Facebook page on https://www.facebook.com/tciministryofhealth/ or the Department of Behavioral Health Services Faceebook on https://www.facebook.com/TCIDBHS/.

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Breaking Ground: TCI Could Lead in Regional Communication Standards

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Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom, 27th March 2024: The PR, marketing, and communications sector is poised for potential growth and could lead the Caribbean region in terms of industry standards says Damian Wilson. Wilson’s suggestion comes after the release of a new research report into the current trends and future direction of the sector as a possible emerging industry in the Turks & Caicos Islands (TCI).

Wilson is the report’s author, which conveys the findings of research which he initiated. “One of the key research results is the considerable optimism by industry practitioners and government alike, with persons seeing growth potential. I believe that we can become regional leaders in this field. I believe that one of the initiatives that could be used to do this is by establishing a ‘TCI Centre of Communications Excellence’ within the TCI Community College. Such an institute would be dedicated to communication and media innovation with a particular focus on digital communications and ICT,” says Wilson.

He further explained, “I believe that the PR, marketing, and communications sector, like much of the country, is at a crossroads and could have an even greater impact on our socio-economic fabric. Some may have concerns about our small size, but I believe this makes us far more agile than our neighbours. All in all, any potential growth must be underpinned by new investments, professional development, and a strategy to integrate the sector into the broader economy.”

Wilson also said that he sees his research as a first step in understanding our own industry sectors in the TCI and would love to see more profound research and analysis conducted. He’s hoping that the report will spark discussion along those lines. The report is entitled ‘Current Trends and Future Direction: A Preliminary Report on the PR, Marketing, and Communications Sector in the Turks & Caicos Islands’. Anyone wanting a copy of the report can contact Damian Wilson via his email, damian.wilson.pr@gmail.com.

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