Gas firm raises concerns over proposed gas disconnection laws

Moves to fast track new laws to prevent some gas customers being disconnected is an "unnecessary measure", the Isle of Man's monopoly provider has said.

The Cabinet Office has said it intends to push through the legislation to protect vulnerable people in winter.

It follows concerns over a recent spate of disconnection notices, which have been raised in the island's parliament.

But Isle of Man Energy chief executive Jo Cox said the firm had not been properly consulted on the plans.

While the bill's aims were "understandable", it was not clear what process would replace disconnection as a last resort and there was not a "specific enough" definition of a vulnerable customer, Ms Cox said.

If successfully passed, the Gas Regulation (Amendment) Bill 2023 would allow the Council of Ministers to specify the conditions surrounding the cut off of supply for non-payment.

But Ms Cox said the changes needed to have appropriate government funding and resources and be "commercially viable to deliver".

She said it was "disappointing" the steps had been taken rather than "seeking to engage us in a collaborative way to find an agreeable solution".

The utilities provider said the process of working closely with the Office of Fair Trading to make sure vulnerable customers were identified was "working well" and the firm would continue to work with watchdog to ensure they were looked after.

But ceasing supply to a customer that has not paid their bill was "right and fair, and very normal", the company said.

Ms Cox also raised concerns the proposed bill was "anti-competitive" as it does not include other energy suppliers on the island, and said she would favour a voluntary agreement similar to that in the UK and Ireland.

Customers who received termination notices were urged to contact the firm to work out a payment plan, she added.

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