Adding Appointments--Two Days Weekly at the US Embassy

In an effort to better serve our customers, the U.S. Embassy’s American Citizens Services Unit will begin scheduling individual appointments for consular services during two days of each week as of Tuesday, September 1, 2009. Appointments will be available on Tuesdays and Wednesdays during normal business hours. Thursdays will be reserved for off-site business and the Unit will be closed to other than emergency walk-in services.

The following services may be scheduled by online appointment:
 Passports: First Time Applications, Renewals, and Additional Visa Pages
 Consular Reports of Birth Abroad
 Notary Public and Other Legal Services

Monday (8:00 to 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 to 4 p.m.) and Friday mornings (8:00am to 10:30am) will remain available for walk-in services for those customers unable to make an online appointment or for federal benefits inquiries.

Emergencies involving the death, incarceration, injury, or hospitalization of American citizens do not require an appointment in advance. For emergency services, American citizens may visit the Consular Section during regular business hours or telephone our embassy duty officer at 610-5030 (after business hours and on weekends or holidays).

The Consular Section may be reached via e-mail for non-emergencies at our new email address: ACSBelize@state.gov.

To make an appointment, customers will need to logon to our website at http://belize.usembassy.gov/citizen_services.html, and follow the links—providing information as needed depending upon the service being requested.

The U.S. Embassy is located in Belmopan on Floral Park Road. The general number
is 822-4011.

BEL Restores Power to the National Grid

Press Release, BEL, Saturday, August 22, 2009 - At 9:35 a.m. today power supply was lost to the national grid, as a result of a fault on the power system in the San Pedro area.

By 11:45 a.m. power was restored to the Northern, Central, Western and Southern Zones of the country, except San Pedro Town and portions of Ladyville. Power was restored to the remaining areas in Ladyville by 12:55 p.m. and to San Pedro by 2:30 p.m.

BEL apologizes for any inconvenience caused by this power outage. For more information call 0800-BEL-CARE or 0800-235-2273.

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Planned Power Outage - San Pedro - Sunday, August 23, 2009

Belize Electricity Limited advises its customers on Ambergris Caye that the supply of electricity will be temporarily interrupted from 1:45 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 23, 2009.

Areas to be affected: All of San Pedro Town.

BEL apologizes for the inconvenience caused but this outage is necessary for the Company to perform maintenance works and upgrade the distribution system in the area.

For customer inquiries and services call us toll free at: 0-800-BEL-CARE OR 0-800-235-2273. To view scheduled outages via our website visit: http://www.bel.com.bz/services_outages.asp

This notice is for public information purposes only. For more information, contact Belize Electricity Limited, Corporate Communications Department at 227-0954, extension 2502.

Planned Power Outage - San Pedro - Saturday, August 22, 2009

Belize Electricity Limited advises its customers on Ambergris Caye that the supply of electricity will be temporarily interrupted from 1:45 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 22, 2009. Areas to be affected: All of San Pedro Town.

BEL apologizes for the inconvenience caused but this outage is necessary for the Company to perform maintenance works and upgrade the distribution system in the area.

For customer inquiries and services call us toll free at: 0-800-BEL-CARE OR 0-800-235-2273. To view scheduled outages via our website visit: http://www.bel.com.bz/services_outages.asp

This notice is for public information purposes only. For more information, contact Belize Electricity Limited, Corporate Communications Department at 227-0954, extension 2502.

BEL Reminds the Public of the Dangers of Illegal Connections & Illegal Redistribution of Power

Press Release, Thursday, August 20, 2009, BEL - Belize Electricity Limited (BEL) advises that the issue of power theft is an ongoing challenge for the Company and highly discourages this practice, not only because it is a crime, but it is a safety hazard to the persons involved and is also unfair to honest, paying customers.

BEL cautions that meter tampering, power diversion and unauthorized installations can result in electric shock or electrocution.

BEL has been responding to numerous reports of dangerous and illegal service connections, power diversion and meter tampering. Unauthorized service connections create a serious safety risk and where the Company finds persons engaged in such illegal practice the person at fault is immediately disconnected and back billed. In cases where a person is repeatedly found with an illegal connection, the Company pursues legal action.

The safe use of electricity is a serious concern. BEL will continue to ensure that electrical equipment is not tampered with or used illegally. Persons requiring power supply are asked to visit any BEL office countrywide.

The Company appeals to the public to report all cases of power theft or improper installation of electrical supply by calling toll free at 0-800-BEL-CARE or 0-800-235-2273. A reward will be given for reported cases that are confirmed.

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