Essential Energy's announcement that it will cut 182 jobs by September 30 has seen both the Member for Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall and Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party candidate Rayne Single hit out strongly against the decision.
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A spokeswoman for Essential Energy said a number of field and non-field roles will be impacted in Armidale, the final number would be determined through the consultation process.
Mr Single said country NSW already suffered from diminishing services, and now communities were being further disadvantaged.
Mr Marshall called for Essential Energy CEO, John Cleland, to be stood down. Mr Cleland wrote to Mr Marshall to inform him of the company's decision that Mr Marshall labelled reprehensible.
"I'm absolutely furious this cloak and dagger decision has been made without any consultation with communities or Members of Parliament, at a time when farming areas are being financially devastated by drought," he said.
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"Mr Cleland is an out of touch bureaucrat who clearly has no concept we are going through the worst drought in the state's history and these 182 people have families.
"They live in our communities and cannot afford any job losses because everyone is hurting."
Mr Single said the decision would almost certainly result in decreased and delayed service for country communities.
"The reason being cited is because of a business need due to Australian Energy Regulator funding," he said.
"At the end of the day it's just so profit margins remain high and service outlays remain low. I'm sure our power bills won't go down.
"We need to back rural NSW to ensure that no more families are impacted especially during this drought."
Mr Marshall said he is seeking advice as to whether the job cuts can be stopped or put on hold.
"I was one of the MPs who stuck my neck out to keep Essential Energy in public hands, so decision like this couldn't be made," Mr Marshall said.
"Essential Energy only has one share holder which is the NSW Government and I am looking into what powers it has to direct the company board not to continue with this decision immediately.
"This decision is offensive and insensitive to people in communities that are already copping a flogging due to the downturn caused by the drought and in my view there should only be one job lost at Essential Energy and that should be the CEO himself - Mr Cleland has to go."
Mr Marshall said people were needed in the agency who could quickly respond when the lights went out in storms, and can conduct proper maintenance work on lines to ensure the network was maintained.
