Fortnightly Magazine - November 15 1995

NEPOOL Goes for Marketers, Brokers

The New England Power Pool (NEPOOL) has filed an amendment to its agreement with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), seeking to open the power pool's membership to power marketers and brokers involved in the wholesale power business. Prior to the amendment, only electric utilities with retail customers, their affiliates, and independent power producers were eligible for membership. According to Frank Sabatino, chairman of NEPOOL's executive committee, the action is a significant first step in redefining NEPOOL's role in the increasingly competitive bulk-power market.

Byline: 
Lori A. Burkhart
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People

MidCon Corp. named Dennis M. Lawler power marketing v.p. in its MidCon Power Services Corp. unit. Lawler comes from Consolidated Natural Gas Co.

In a promotion, Mark Kugelman will manage account sales for Parker Hannifin Corp.'s Power Distribution Group.

The American Gas Association (A.G.A.) elected chairmen for its financial and administrative, operating, marketing and legal sections: Bruce R. Debolt, senior v.p. and CFO of Northwest Natural Gas Co.; Frederick L.

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Financial News

Annual Annual EPS

Close Close Percent 52-Wk 52-Wk Div Div Book P/E Last

Company Region 06/30/95 10/02/95 Change High Low Rate Yield Value Ratio 12 Mos.Electric UtilitiesAEP Company Inc. Midwest 35.13 36.13 2.85 36.50 30.50 2.40 6.64 22.68 14 2.63

Unicom Corp.

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Trends

Over the past four months, Resource Data International (RDI) has been analyzing Continuous Emission Monitoring System (CEMS) data collected by the Environmental Protection Association (EPA) under Title IV of the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 (CAAA). Title IV requires electric utilities to reduce emissions of sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxide (NOx) (em precursors to acid rain.
Byline: 
Todd A. Myers, and Pamela Custode
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The Color of Just Compensation

Government agencies sometimes condemn privately owned operating utilities for their own use. Water companies, landfills, hydroelectric plants, and transportation lines are examples.

But these cases pose a problem: How to measure "just compensation," especially when regulators set the rates charged (and profits earned) by a privately owned utility at artificially low levels, even when the commodity is scarce and the need for the service high.

Byline: 
William D. Grand
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BG&E, PEPCO Join Forces

Baltimore Gas and Electric Co. (BG&E) on September 25 announced that it would acquire Potomac Electric Power Co. (PEPCO) for $2.9 billion, creating an as-yet unnamed company with assets exceeding $15 billion, and annual revenues of about $5 billion. The new company will be one of the 10 largest electric utilities in the nation, with 1.8 million electric customers and 530,000 natural gas customers.

BG&E shareholders will receive one share of stock in the new utility for each share of common stock. PEPCO stockholders will receive .997 share for each share.

Byline: 
Lori A. Burkhart
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Washington Scraps Decoupling Mechanism

While approving a $58.8-million annual rate increase for Puget Sound Power & Light Co., the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC) has also agreed to terminate its experimental periodic rate adjustment mechanism (PRAM).

Byline: 
Phillip S. Cross
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Central Illinois Offers Wheeling Plan

Central Illinois Light Co. (CIL) has asked the Illinois Public Utilities Commission to approve two retail wheeling pilot programs named 'Power Quest.' One is aimed at industrial customers, the other at commercial/residential customers, although participation is strictly voluntary.Customers participating in Power Quest will purchase their electricity from sources other than CIL, and then contract with CIL to deliver the power through existing lines. The customer will pay the supplier for the energy and CIL for the delivery.

Byline: 
Lori A. Burkhart
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Alternative Regulation Finds Favor in Missouri

The Missouri Public Service Commission (PSC) has approved an experimental alternative regulation plan for Union Electric Co., the largest regulated electric utility in the state. The new plan is part of a stipulation and agreement that includes a $30-million one-time customer refund and a $30-million annual rate reduction. The experiment (em scheduled to run between July 1, 1995, and June 30, 1998 (em involves a sharing of company earnings between ratepayers and shareholders.

Byline: 
Phillip S. Cross
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Montana Power Files Two Rate Plans

Montana Power Co. (MP) has asked the Montana Public Service Commission (PSC) for a $34.9-million (9.84 percent) electric rate hike, and a $12-million (10.45 percent) natural gas hike. It also offered a preferred alternative electric and gas rate plan.The alternative plan would serve as a transition mechanism to a more competitive environment, limiting additional rate filings through 1998 and reducing this year's request by $14 million for electric and $3.5 million for natural gas.

Byline: 
Lori A. Burkhart
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