BUENOS AIRES – President Mauricio Macri encouraged the public on Tuesday to consume less energy and stood by his decision to raise gas, water and electricity rates as a way to “make things right.”

“We do not have enough energy, we can’t import more and we are consuming much more energy per person than most countries in the world,” Macri said.

The president made these comments at the opening of a new Buenos Aires Metro station, whose construction began when Macri was mayor of the capital.

Macri said the Metro expansion would allow train cars “to carry twice as many people, consuming less energy,” and helping “people live better.”

On Monday, the government announced a new measure capping the natural gas rates set in April.

The Macri administration is preparing an appeal of a court ruling that froze the utility rate increases on the grounds that public hearings were not held first.

In recent weeks, there have been many court rulings against the rate hikes, which the government considers necessary to ensure energy supplies.