The Ombudsman in Chubut, Claudia Bard, filed an amparo action before the Rawson Federal Court, which seeks to suspend the implementation of the new tariff schedule established by resolutions 41/2024 and 122/2024 of the National Energy Secretariat and ENARGAS.
The head of the area reported that the initiative responds to complaints submitted by residents of various locations in Chubut to the Ombudsman’s Office, after receiving their gas bills with increases ranging between 400% and 4000% compared to the same period of the previous year.
Along these lines, he explained that although the level of gas consumption of users has remained similar, Rate increases are disproportionate.
The legal action filed argues that The new tariff schedules violate fundamental principles such as reasonableness, predictability and gradualnesswhich should guide the implementation of any rate increase.
Bard highlighted that these principles are essential to guarantee that users can plan and meet their expenses without facing abrupt increases that compromise their finances.
Among the measures promoted by the protection, he indicated that is requested that the Ministry of Energy and Enargas to suspend the new tariff schedule and on the other hand, that the refund of the money be madeif it has been applied to homes or businesses.
According to Radio 3,The ombudsman trusts that the justice system will act quickly to suspend the application of the increases and that it will be quickly reflected in the bills of the residents of the province.
Amparo presented in Santa Cruz
At the beginning of June, the Federal Justice granted the request for protection presented by the province of Santa Cruz, through the State Attorney’s Officeand ordered to suspend the increases in gas rates.
Furthermore, he ordered National Gas Regulatory Entity (ENARGAS) that companies “refrain from applying increases of more than 300% compared to the same billing period of the previous year.”
