Sound bites from state and federal regulators.
Coal Tar Cleanup. Minnesota court affirms ruling by state regulators requiring Interstate Power Co.'s natural gas customers to contribute to costs for cleaning up the company's manufactured gas plants, since the plants were "used and useful" when the pollution occurred (though the wastes were not deemed hazardous until 1980). No. C1096-1558, Feb. 18, 1997 (Minn.Ct.App.).
AT&T's New Market. Washington allows AT&T Communications of the Pacific Northwest Inc. to enter the local exchange market as a "competitive" carrier, rejecting claims by incumbent local carrier U S WEST that AT&T must be considered "dominant" if it enters the local calling market by reselling local exchange facilities owned by U S WEST. Commission describes AT&T as a "competitive alternative" to the "captive" customer base served by U S WEST. Docket No. UT- 960248, Jan. 24, 1997 (Wash.U.T.C.).
DSM Resource Plans. Illinois appeals court says regulators may consider the availability of ratepayer funding (and the effect on stockholders if funding is denied) in deciding whether a utility demand-side management program is a viable element of a least-cost resource plan. No. 1-95-1617, Feb. 3, 1997 (Ill.App.Ct.).