The Education/Electric Buying Group, which represents Long Island public schools, has asked the New York Public Service Commission (PSC) to separately consider its proposal for a competitive electric pilot program. The program calls for electricity purchased at the best price, rather than just through the Long Island Lighting Co. The buying group claims that LILCO has refused requests to discuss the proposal. The school districts estimate they could save $20 million annually in electricity costs without substantially affecting LILCO's net earnings.

WPS-Power Development, Inc. has formed a subsidiary, Mid-American Power Ventures, Inc. Both companies fall under WPS Resources Corp., the holding company for Wisconsin Public Services Corp.

UtiliCorp United, Inc. signed a year-long agreement to supply energy to Ground Round Restaurants, Inc., which operates eateries or has franchises in 22 states. Initially, UtiliCorp's EnergyOne brand will supply natural gas to 67 restaurants in four states. EnergyOne will supply gas to the remaining restaurants as other states open to retail competition.

NorAm Damage Prevention has contracted with eight Arkansas utilities to locate underground utility lines. The three-year contract is worth about $12 million and covers more than 80 percent of utility line locating in the state. The utilities work in the natural gas, electric, and telecommunications industries.

The Mexican government awarded its first natural gas privatization license. The winner was the Mexican-U.S. partnership of Enova International, Pacific Enterprises International, and Proxima S.A., de CV. The license allows the partners to build and operate a natural gas distribution system in Mexicali, Baja California, which now relies on propane and fuel oil. The partnership will invest $20 to $25 million over five years. The system will service commercial and industrial users and over 25,000 residents. Natural gas service is expected to begin in 1997.

CMS Gas Transmission and Storage Co. plans a $300-million expansion of Argentina's Transportadora de Gas del Norte pipeline, in which it holds a 25-percent interest. The expansion will increase capacity for the Gasducto GasAndes S.A. pipeline from Argentina to Chile, and for CMS's gas-fueled repowering of the Centrales Termicas Mendoza generating plant.t

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