The debts of the Palestinian Authority to the Israel Electric Company for Gaza alone now stand at 85 million shekels (approx. $20 million). PA representatives claim that they are unable to collect electricity payments from the consumers because of their difficult economic situation. The Electric Company has asked the government several times to set-off the payments from monies owed to the PA - which are in the meantime not being transferred to the PA - but the government has not responded.