Christchurch is at the brink of a New Zealand breakthrough in consumer power, claims Central Christchurch MP Tim Barnett.
A plan to form a consumer buying group for electricity in Christchurch will be considered at a public meeting on Saturday.
If approved, recruitment over the next two months will create the largest buying group even seen in NZ, said Mr Barnett. It would also have a major impact on power price and service quality in the city.
The 14,000 households who petitioned last year for action on power price, service quality and energy efficiency will be at the heart of that process, he said.
Mr Barnett has been looking to the US for ideas on how to build consumer power to negotiate with electricity companies from a position of strength.
"After a long search for the best way forward, I am now convinced that a buying group is the best way to make an immediate impact on power prices and service quality in Christchurch."
- CHRISTCHURCH STAR
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