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From Bulgaria
22.10.2013 10:25
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The members and the functions of the State Energy and Water Regulatory Commission (SEWRC) will undergo changes next year at the latest, Ramadan Atalai, chief of the parliamentary energy commission said, as quoted by Trud newspaper.
Members of the regulator would most likely be elected by the parliament and not by the prime-minister, as currently, socialists MP Yavor Kuyumdzhiev explained.
In addition to SEWRC’s current obligations related to determining electricity, gas, heating and water prices, the commission will also have to exercise stricter control over companies operating in these sectors.
Ramadan Atalai also explained that the number of members of the regulator will increase from the current seven persons in order to guarantee that “it will be clear who is responsible for regulatory decisions”. According to Atalai society needs to have a representation in the energy regulator.
Despite having a 5-year mandate, in less than a year a total of five people headed the commission. Angel Semerdziev was dismissed in January 2013 for abuse of office, ceding his place to temporary replacement Andon Rokov, also investigated for conflict of interest in the water sector.
Juliana Ivanova was the next to head SEWRC, only to be dismissed four days later after it emerged she was involved in online cigarettes sales, which are illegal in Bulgaria. Longtime energy expert Evgenia Haritonova was the next to take the place in March 2013, resigning four months later. Angela Toneva is ever since chairperson of the energy regulator. The only commissionaire who has not yet been dismissed is Milena Milanova, the other five being appointed by the Socialists-led government of Plamen Oresharski.
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