Fortnightly Magazine - June 15 1995

Va. Power Can Test Real-time, But Not on Site

The Virginia commission on April 20 authorized Virginia Electric and Power Co. (VP) to implement a five-year, experimental real-time pricing rate (RTP), but denied a proposal to custom-build dispersed generating facilities at customer sites.

The RTP will allow VP to set rates for large industrial customers (over 10,000 Kw) based in part on the actual hourly cost of generating electricity (Case No. PUE940080). The pilot program allows VP to experiment with market-based pricing by offering industrial users the opportunity to directly control their energy costs.

Byline: 
Lori A. Burkhart
Read Entire Article

Ohio Allows Choice of Backup Gas Supply

The Ohio Public Utilities Commission (PUC) has modified its natural gas transportation guidelines to allow "human needs customers" the opportunity to select alternative suppliers of backup commodity supplies. The PUC found the change had sufficient merit to enact without experimental testing and that quick authorization was necessary to develop operational details and the necessary arrangements between customers and suppliers prior to the next heating season.

Byline: 
Phillip S. Cross
Read Entire Article

Niagara Mohawk Prepares for Battle

On May 11 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York, Niagara Mohawk Power Corp. (NMP) filed suit against the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and the New York Public Service Commission (PSC), seeking relief from what it terms "mandated, above-market electricity purchases" from unregulated generators.

Byline: 
Lori A. Burkhart
Read Entire Article

South Carolina Seeks Low-level Waste Relief

After losing its battle to punish North Carolina for not moving quickly enough to site a low-level radioactive waste disposal facility, Gov. David Beasley (R) of South Carolina has threatened to pull out of the Southeast Compact.

In April, Beasley had asked the Southeast Compact Commission for permission to reopen the Barnwell disposal facility to generators in every state except North Carolina.

Byline: 
Lori A. Burkhart
Read Entire Article

Rate Base Adjustments Not Needed in Stable Economy

Citing a "relatively stable economy," the Utah Public Service Commission (PSC) has reaffirmed its preference for a historical test period in setting utility rates. It rejected a proposal by Mountain Fuel Supply Co., a natural gas local distribution company (LDC), to employ a projected test year in its current rate case. The LDC argued that the adjusted expense and revenue figures would better reflect customer growth as well as the effects of a newly established early retirement program.

Byline: 
Phillip S. Cross
Read Entire Article

Perspective

John Huey (Fortune, Feb. 21, 1994) suggests that some corporate leaders resemble candidates running for office. Cynically, this conjures an image of the slick campaigner (em a blue suit, a thick head of hair, makeup artists, acting class, and speech coaches. Yet, Mr. Huey raises an issue that cannot be ignored. How can public utilities learn to communicate better?

I've worked as a communications director at a major investor-owned electric company.

Byline: 
Thomas J. Sloan
Read Entire Article

Mass. Joins Electric Restructuring Craze

According to the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (DPU), electric generation is no longer best organized as a monopoly. This conclusion has led the DPU to open an inquiry to investigate: 1) how restructuring the electric industry in the state would promote competition and benefit customers, and 2) whether to extend to some or all customers the option of choosing their own supplier of electricity. Re Electric Industry Restructuring, D.P.U. 95-30, Feb. 10, 1995 (Mass.D.P.U.).


48
Byline: 
Phillip S. Cross
Read Entire Article

PURPA: At Odds With the New Industry?

The issue of the day is what to do with the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (PURPA). Whether the act will be repealed or merely revised is open to debate, but the consensus is that changes are forthcoming.

Ever since the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) issued its February order finding that the California commission had violated PURPA by requiring Southern California Edison Co. and San Diego Gas and Electric Co.

Byline: 
Lori A. Burkhart
Read Entire Article

NY Approves Self-generation Deferral Incentives

The New York Public Service Commission (PSC) has approved a proposal by New York State Electric & Gas Corp., an electric utility, to offer a new rate mechanism to retain and regain low-load-factor (5 to 35 percent) customers with viable self-generation options.

Byline: 
Phillip S. Cross
Read Entire Article
V