Economy
Once again, President Hugo Chávez urged people to moderate their consumption of electricity. On this opportunity, he announced the implementation of a "set of measures" aimed at reducing high levels of energy demand.

The Head of State said he asked Rafael Ramírez, the Minister of Energy and Petroleum, to draft a resolution to levy a tax on high power consumption and subsidize low power consumption.

Chávez said that the legal instrument may establish an energy consumption range with their respective prices. "We are going to draft a legal instrument, a resolution. Those who use energy above a ceiling will have to pay a surcharge. They must pay more. Those who spend less energy, under a minimum limit, will be subsidized and will pay lower rates." "This will motivate them to approach the topic with greater certainty."

Chávez reminded again that "there is a world energy crisis, for God's sake, we must understand it! Some people turn on their air conditioners and let them on all night. It is like wasting water day and night."

"We have (another) problem …El Niño phenomenon," Chávez said. "I will show you soon some pictures of the Guri dam; it is at a low level. It has not rained in the headwaters of the Caroní River. And the hydroelectric power station Guri is still producing most of the Venezuela's electricity, a 70 percent. This is a serious situation that has affected the supply of electricity. We are taking the necessary steps. What I mean is that we all must be concerned about the problem and we must deal with it. Everybody has to help save energy."

Seeking answers
Aixa López, the executive director of the Committee of people affected by blackouts, headed on Thursday a protest outside the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum.

She said that in eight years, the government has not created the National Energy Electricity Commission (CNEE), as provided for under the Organic Law on Electric Service (LOSE). The Ministry of Energy is responsible for "protecting the rights and interests of users; promoting the reliability and safety of energy supply and, among other things, boosting the efficient and safe use of electricity."

"Although we were not received by him," López said, "we handed over a letter addressed to Minister Rafael Ramírez. We are waiting for answers."

According to local press reports, authorities are still rationing energy in the north-eastern state of Anzoátegui. In several regions of the country, business associations have reported losses due to power outages.

Translated by Gerardo Cárdenas