{
  "id": 5127443,
  "title": "The ERC, Nasecore, pumped hydro and nuclear power",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/02/the-erc-nasecore-pumped-hydro-and-nuclear-power",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-09-02T16:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Philippine Star Business",
    "slug": "philippine-star-business",
    "url": "https://www.philstar.com/business/2026/09/03/2553577/erc-nasecore-pumped-hydro-and-nuclear-power"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The National Association of Electricity Consumers for Reforms (Nasecore) has filed a complaint with the Ombudsman against Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) officials for allowing line rental charges embedded in electricity bills. Nasecore wants the Ombudsman to determine if there is legal basis for these charges and if credits were returned to consumers, particularly those in the Visayas grid which experiences yellow-red alerts almost daily. The ERC explained in a press statement what the \"line rental\" or Bilateral Line Loss and Congestion Cost (BLLCC) is – it stems from technical loss in the transmission process over long distances, not politics. This price differential must be paid by consumers or taxpayers will bear the cost. Nasecore accused the ERC of engaging in political harassment and legal blackmail, demanding extensive data and a response within seven working days or referral to the Ombudsman. Meanwhile, Meralco and Meralco PowerGen Corp. (MGEN) have chosen a US-based firm to conduct a feasibility study on small modular reactors (SMRs) in the Philippines, aiming to determine if SMRs should become part of the country's future energy mix.",
  "summary": "Last Monday a “consumer group” went to the Ombudsman and filed a complaint against Energy Regulatory Commission officials for allowing line rental charges embedded in electricity bills.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}