The national energy trade union demanded the National Electricity Regulation Commission (NERC) increase distribution tariffs, which would make it possible for Oblenergos to increase wages. Alexander Paraschiy: Some Oblenergos are obligated to increase the average wage by 25% annually, while the NERC is unwilling to account for these increases when setting tariffs. As a result, the companies’ growth in tariffs has lagged behind the corresponding growth in costs. The Oblenergos pushed the trade unions to prod the NERC into increasing distribution tariffs. The news is positive for Oblenergos; this is their chance to finally get the attention of the NERC.