Opposition Senator Tricia Watson has harshly criticized the Fair Trading Commission’s handling of the latest Barbados Light and Power Company application for a rate increase accusing the FTC of rushing the decision and of not giving the intervenors a reasonable chance to submit their arguments.

Ms Watson an attorney at law and a rate hearing intervenor was responding to this week’s ruling by the FTC on a BL&P application for a rate increase to cover the cost of investment in battery storage and other infrastructure to facilitate renewable energy expansion.

The FTC rejected a substantial part of the power company’s request but did grant some increase.

Senator Watson is not pleased with how the FTC dealt with the matter.

Ms. Watson says intervenors feel disrespected.

Opposition Senator and rate hearing intervenor, Tricia Watson.