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Despite the federal law being in force since the end of June, the distributors claim that they are still waiting for state decrees, maintaining the imbroglio between the Union, States and distributors.

 

By Jovem Pan 10/13/2022 7:57 AM - Updated 10/13/2022 8:09 AM

    

JOSÉ CARLOS DAVES/FUTURA PRESS/ESTADÃO CONTENT

Electricity bill, light bulb and calculator

Electricity bill value has not dropped, even with the green tariff flag

The electricity bill, which should be cheaper for the consumer, remains expensive in several Brazilian states, even operating under the green tariff flag. This is due to the charging of ICMS on the transmission and distribution of energy, made by distributors across the country. The June 2022 law establishes that accounts would be reduced by 8%. Santa Catarina, Paraná, Espírito Santo and Minas Gerais already comply with the new law and have already removed the extra charge for transmission, distribution and sectorial charges from the ICMS calculation base. Consumers in these regions already feel the reduction in their electricity bills. The Brazilian Institute for Consumer Protection (Idec) is following the case and says that it is possible to return the amount to each consumer. But, as it is about justice, this takes time and it is not certain that the consumer will receive the amount back. For this, the consumer would have to trigger the Procon or go to court to have the amount returned. Despite the federal law being in force since the end of June, distributors say they are still waiting for state decrees, maintaining the impasse between the Union, States and distributors. According to the Ministry of Mines and Energy, changing the basis for calculating the ICMS energy tariff can reduce the price of the electricity bill by 6.5% on average. According to the Federal Supreme Court (STF), there are 12 state norms invalidated for disrespecting the principles of selectivity.