Thank you, Mr. Chairman. This is Bill 8, An Act to Amend the Public Utilities Act. The intent of this legislation is the implementation of a levy to recover from rate applicants approximately 50 per cent of the costs of the operation of the PUB.

Prior to the introduction of this legislation, an analysis of the impact of this levy on ratepayers was undertaken. This analysis has shown that a 50 per cent cost recovery would on average cost each ratepayer 34 cents per billing, on a monthly consumption of 700 kilowatts, for a total of $4.08 per year.

Mr. Chairman, the Standing Committee on Legislation proposed several amendments to the proposed act during their review that the government and my office has concurred with. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mahsi cho.