Calendar of Events

5th Annual Managing Regulatory Compliance for Electric Utilities
May 21, 2013 to May 23, 2013 | Atlanta, GA
Power Experts 2013
May 29, 2013 to May 30, 2013 | Chicago, IL
EEI Annual Convention
Jun 09, 2013 to Jun 12, 2013 | San Francisco, CA
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News

South Carolina PSC Puts Pension Costs in Rider

In an electric rate proceeding, the South Carolina Public Service Commission accepted a memorandum of understanding (MOU) under which South Carolina Electric & Gas was awarded a net increase in electric rates of $97 million and a ROE of 10.25 percent. The lower ROE value negotiated in the MOU also had a substantial impact on the utility’s authorized revenue requirement, reducing its rate request by a significant amount.

Oregon Halves PacifiCorp Rate Request

Pursuant to a partial stipulation, the Oregon Public Utility Commission granted PacifiCorp dba Pacific Power a mere 0.5-percent increase in its base rates, or $20.7 million. The utility had asked for $41.2 million in rate relief, an increase of 3.5 percent. The parties to the settlement had been unable to agree on specific values for the company’s cost-of-capital components, but listed in the stipulation a “notational value” of 9.8 percent for ROE.

North Carolina Approves Dominion Rate Base Expansion

Upon review of Dominion North Carolina Power’s petition for $63.66 million in additional revenues, the North Carolina Utilities Commission authorized the utility to increase its nonfuel base rates by $36.44 million. The commission rejected the company’s recommended ROE of 11.25 percent in favor of a 10.2-percent ROE instead.

Missouri PSC Approves Modernization Investments

In awarding an electric utility more than $260 million in rate relief, Missouri Public Service Commission explained that the utility, Union Electric dba Ameren Missouri, had demonstrated that its earnings had been deteriorating and that absent additional revenues it would be unable to maintain its system or invest in badly needed facility expansions and improvements. It approved a rate of return on equity of 9.8 percent as opposed to the 10.50-percent level suggested by the company.

Michigan PSC Allows 2% Gas Rate Increase

In a natural gas rate case, the Michigan Public Service Commission permitted Michigan Consolidated Gas (MichCon) to increase its base rates by $19.9 million, or 2 percent. The new rates were in accord with a partial settlement that trimmed the company’s original rate increase request of $76.7 million by almost three-fourths. The company stipulated to a 10.5-percent ROE.

Kentucky PSC Approves Rate Hikes for KU and LG&E

In a pair of rate proceedings resolved by settlement, the Kentucky Public Service Commission approved rate increases for Kentucky Utilities (KU) and Louisville Gas & Electric (LG&E). The KU agreement allows the utility to raise its rates by $51 million, compared to its application for an $82.4 million increase. The LG&E settlement provides $33.7 million in additional electric revenues and $15 million in additional natural gas revenues.

Maine OKs Floating Wind Farm

Finding that the cutting-edge technology proposed to be used by a wind power developer in constructing an offshore wind energy facility could improve both the state’s economy and its demographics, the Maine Public Utilities Commission authorized the developer, Statoil North America, to proceed with its plans for the pilot project. The commission reported that the most intriguing aspect of the developer’s plan was its reliance on a novel “spar buoy” design that would make the Hywind Maine project the country’s first offshore floating wind farm.

Alstom Wind Turbines to Achieve 48% Capacity Factor

Alstom upgraded its 3-MW onshore ECO 100 turbine to maximize available wind resources. Currently designed for medium (Class II-A) wind sites, the turbine now can handle medium and high winds (IEC Class II-A, and IS Class). The ECO 122 turbine, currently suitable for Class III sites, is being upgraded to handle medium and low winds (IEC Class III-A, and II B Class). The upgrade increases the net capacity factor to up to 48 percent for both turbines.

Saipan Utility Orders Prepay Meters

Commonwealth Utilities Corp. (CUC) in Saipan ordered two-way electric meters with Nighthawk communications technology. The meters are expected to enable a pre-paid metering system to improve collections and cash flow. CUC also expects the meters’ voltage monitoring to provide better information about system status in remote locations.

Siemens Releases Data Center Management System

Siemens released a new data center infrastructure management (DCIM) system, Datacenter Clarity LC. The system aims to provide building automation and energy management features for data centers, combining Siemens’ enterprise integration and management capabilities with data center-specific software built upon Siemens Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) software.

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