Graeme Weston

Line charges – the cost of the poles, wires and transformers that get electricity to your door – are the biggest reason power bills keep climbing, and they’re set to keep rising.

The good news is the Government is actually asking the public what to do about it. Energy Minister Simeon Brown and Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Cameron Brewer opened a consultation on August 19 looking at how to make our electricity network companies more efficient and accountable, with submissions open to absolutely anyone until September 30.

https://www.mbie.govt.nz/have-your-say/consultation-on-edb

That’s worth taking seriously. It’s a live chance to have a real say in national policy before the general election on November 7 – good, healthy democracy in action, and a rare direct line between an everyday power bill and the people making the decisions.

I’ll be upfront: MBIE’s discussion document is a long, technical read. You don’t need to get through all of it, or be an expert, to make a submission that counts – a few sentences about what you actually want from your network and your bill is a genuine contribution.

I’d also encourage Trust Horizon’s own trustees to put in a submission. MBIE’s paper specifically discusses trust-owned lines companies like ours, and our trustees were elected to represent local electricity consumers on exactly these questions. Their considered view would carry real weight, and I think the community would welcome knowing what it is.

Submissions can be emailed to [email protected] before 5pm, 30 September.