Fortnightly Magazine - October 1 1995

LDC Settles Gas Pipeline Safety Case

The Ohio Public Utilities Commission (PUC) has approved a settlement agreement in a case involving a safety code investigation of Columbia Gas of Ohio, Inc., a natural gas local distribution company. The PUC had directed its staff to investigate whether Columbia Gas had violated safety code provisions governing maximum allowable operating pressures for pipeline segments.

Byline: 
Phillip S. Cross
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Moody's Frowns at Stranded Costs

A recent report by Moody's Investors Service, Stranded Costs Will Threaten Credit Quality of U.S. Electrics, estimates total stranded costs for

investor-owned electrics at $50 to $300 billion, depending on market-price assumptions. The most likely scenario would produce about $135 billion in stranded costs, compared to present total industry equity of about $165 billion and total assets of $570 billion.

Byline: 
Lori A. Burkhart
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Conn. Updates Gas Regulation

The Connecticut Department of Public Utility Control (DPUC) has adopted new cost-of-service guidelines allowing natural gas local distribution companies (LDCs) to develop unbundled rate structures, including cost-based firm transportation rates. The DPUC also issued suggestions for refining existing supply and demand forecasting methods. According to the DPUC, current cost-of-service studies did not adequately address interclass subsidies at existing rate levels.

Byline: 
Phillip S. Cross
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