NationStates Jolt Archive

I seem to be getting free electricity, my last 2 bills have been for HK$0 since some government subsidy is canceling the bill.

From what I hear, there's a year-long subsidy so I'm likely to pay nothing for electricity all year long, which is welcome. I think it's only to a certain amount, say $20 a month, but my bills are always under that so I'm essentially enjoying free electricity.

Does this sound like a reasonable move by the government to ease the pain of the recession? Instead of pumping money into banks, would a year-long subsidy be useful?

One might say electricity is environmentally unfriendly given people might wantonly waste energy because it's free?

A better suggestion?

They used to do that in the Soviet Union. Now my family complains because they have to pay for everything instead. >_<

They used to do that in the Soviet Union. Now my family complains because they have to pay for everything instead. >_<

Reasonably good point.

I had made the connection to 'well, why not just lower taxes', but not everyone is going to have jobs that benefit from tax cuts, if at all, and there's a fair feel-good factor to receiving a bill for HK$0 - though I then question why they bother sending a bill in the first place, waste of time to tell me really.

Of course, the feel-good may be cancelled by next year when I actually have to pay a bill.

in soviet union Electricity buy you!

Navy pays my power bills since there are no meters on the former base I live on. Which means, lots and lots of indoor pot farms.

Navy pays my power bills since there are no meters on the former base I live on. Which means, lots and lots of indoor pot farms.

Clearly, I had not considered the full benefits of this subsidy.

*orders seeds*

Clearly, I had not considered the full benefits of this subsidy.

*orders seeds*

Oh shit...thanks for reminding me!

*germinates seeds hidden in cellphone*

Navy pays my power bills since there are no meters on the former base I live on. Which means, lots and lots of indoor pot farms.
"My god, It's coming from inside your house!!!"?

Personally, I think it makes more sense to provide monetary aid rather than subsidizing utilities. That way, you still encourage conservation and reward the people who are most conservative in their energy consumption. Providing money to increase energy efficiency is also a better idea, since that produces long-term savings independent of changes in energy prices.

"My god, It's coming from inside your house!!!"?

I wish...I haven't been able to 'partake' since April of last year...

They couldn't afford to do that in the UK. Utility bills are extortionate here - I pay £120 per month for my gas and electric (from Npower....robbing b*****ds)
The govt would be broke (more broke) within a year if they tried to pay everyones bills
A little help would be appreciated Mr Brown

Is this Li Ka-Shing's doing? I know a few of my friends live in properties that his companies own, and they're able to do everything up to and including paying their bills from a 7-11. ;)

EDIT: Or is it Watsons? I forget which one Cheung Kong owns.

From what I hear, there's a year-long subsidy so I'm likely to pay nothing for electricity all year long, which is welcome.

Can you put some KWh in an envelope and mail it to me? I'll reimburse the postage costs!

Does this sound like a reasonable move by the government to ease the pain of the recession? Instead of pumping money into banks, would a year-long subsidy be useful?

One might say electricity is environmentally unfriendly given people might wantonly waste energy because it's free?

A better suggestion?
well, anything to do with giving money to the banks seems to be rather worthless, as they swallow it up and pass nothing beneficial onto the consumer. same with lowering interest rates in this country - the banks have just refused to pass on the cuts to consumers in order to increase their margins. in some ways that's fair, because they have these debts to pay and a big hole to dig themselves out of. but on the other hand, its their own fucking hole and we, the public, should be helped out first. especially regarding the banks who have been part-nationalised... they should really be helping out the people rather than looking out for themselves.

i'm thinking some good ol' fiscal policy might be in order, yeah.
Navy pays my power bills since there are no meters on the former base I live on. Which means, lots and lots of indoor pot farms.

smart dude :P

Personally, I think it makes more sense to provide monetary aid rather than subsidizing utilities. That way, you still encourage conservation and reward the people who are most conservative in their energy consumption. Providing money to increase energy efficiency is also a better idea, since that produces long-term savings independent of changes in energy prices.

Just giving cash, I just don't feel that people will spend or save it in any reasonable way. Tax breaks can essentially seem invisible, not having to pay a bill though, it's roughly the same except people feel better about it all and more likely to think, 'hmm, that saves me XX, how does that help my budget...'

They couldn't afford to do that in the UK. Utility bills are extortionate here - I pay £120 per month for my gas and electric (from Npower....robbing b*****ds)
The govt would be broke (more broke) within a year if they tried to pay everyones bills
A little help would be appreciated Mr Brown

My bill is rarely above about HK$400, which is about $50, mostly it hovers around HK$150, last one was HK$89, my carbon footprint is small.

Is this Li Ka-Shing's doing? I know a few of my friends live in properties that his companies own, and they're able to do everything up to and including paying their bills from a 7-11. ;)

EDIT: Or is it Watsons? I forget which one Cheung Kong owns.

You can pay most things at 7/11, from cable to water to electricity, even better is that you can pay with Octopus, a simple swipe card similar to Oyster in the UK, possibly the same overall company, it's atrociously convenient.

Li Ka Shing does own Watsons, he also, I think owns Hutchison, which means I can pay my mobile phone bill there.

Can you put some KWh in an envelope and mail it to me? I'll reimburse the postage costs!

It's hard to get it from the outlet holes, hang on and let me get a fork...

well, anything to do with giving money to the banks seems to be rather worthless, as they swallow it up and pass nothing beneficial onto the consumer. same with lowering interest rates in this country - the banks have just refused to pass on the cuts to consumers in order to increase their margins. in some ways that's fair, because they have these debts to pay and a big hole to dig themselves out of. but on the other hand, its their own fucking hole and we, the public, should be helped out first. especially regarding the banks who have been part-nationalised... they should really be helping out the people rather than looking out for themselves.

Indeed, and little better than having my bills paid off, every month, for a year.

I wish I got help for mine :(

You can pay most things at 7/11, from cable to water to electricity, even better is that you can pay with Octopus, a simple swipe card similar to Oyster in the UK, possibly the same overall company, it's atrociously convenient.

Aye, Japan took a cue from the Octopus card and introduced Pasmo/Suica, which becomes accepted as a method of payment more and more each day.

My mom is always amazed by how the subway turnstiles can read her IC card through her purse.