site.bta Parliament Extends Electricity Pricing Period by One Month

Parliament Extends Electricity Pricing Period by One Month

Sofia, June 25 (BTA) - Voting Thursday first and second reading
changes to the Energy Act, Parliament extended the electricity
pricing period by a month until July 31.

The bill was sponsored by GERB and the Reformist Bloc. Under the
changes, the pricing period for electricity and heating which
expires on June 30 2015, may be extended by a month by the
Energy and Water Regulatory Commission. The act is to take
effect on June 30 2015.

Delyan Dobrev MP of GERB said that the changes allow the
regulator to extend the period but are not mandatory. Alexander
Nenkov said that ways should be found to offset the deficit in
the energy sector. "We have no right to delay longer the
balancing of the system," he said, noting that Bulgaria's
industry is among the most energy intensive. "We should make
businesses invest in improving their energy efficiency."

Nayden Zelenogorski of the Reformist Bloc said he supported the
bill. He added that he would press for monthly updates of the
current situation in the energy sector. Martin Dimitrov said
that reforms should be continued.

Iskren Vesslinov of the Patriotic Front said the extension of
the period is a chance to speed up the reforms.

Ramadan Atalay of the Movement for Rights and Freedoms said that
the proposed changes have been motivated by a fear to take
responsibility for what is happening in the energy sector.
However, he urged that the changes should be adopted to allow
the regulator to make the best possible decision.

Krassimir Yankov of the Bulgarian Socialist Party asked the
incumbent why they hadn't taken steps to streamline
expenditures. According to him, the incumbent are shirking
responsibility by this extraordinary legislation. Yankov said
that the public is being subjected to a stress test and
criticized the prime minister for backing the protesting
employers.

Dessislav Choukolov of Ataka said that his party will support
the extension of the period. According to him, the price of
electricity should be decreased with launching RES facilities.