Become a PUF Member Organization

Fortnightly Magazine - March 15 1997

University Fights Stranded-Cost Fee

Lawyers for the Massachusetts Institute of Technology on Feb. 4 argued before the Massachusetts Supreme Court that their client should not be made to pay $6 million to Cambridge Electric Light Co. to cover stranded costs for building its own $50 million on-campus generating plant, as directed by the state utility commission. MIT said it would never have built the plant had it known about the fee. A ruling is expected in the spring.

Byline: 
Lori A. Burkhart
Read Entire Article

Utilities Clash in Chicago

Wisconsin Electric Power Co., outbid about 60 companies to supply electricity to Chicago's Public Housing Authority, now served by Commonwealth Edison Co., which says it will refuse wheeling services. The housing authority says the deal with WEP would allow it to shave about $5 million off its $10-million, annual CE electric bill. The authority currently pays CE roughly 7.2 cents per kilowatt-hour, but would pay less than 3 cents per kWh to WEP, excluding wheeling charges. The dispute may well end up before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

Byline: 
Lori A. Burkhart
Read Entire Article

Co-op Would Offer Green Power

The Dakota Electric Association, which buys its power from Cooperative Power of Eden Prairie, Minn., has asked the Minnesota Public Utility Commission to allow it to provide its members the option to purchase energy generated from renewable resources. Energy produced by wind generators would be made available to consumers in 100-kilowatt-hour blocks of energy. Customers would be allowed to purchase blocks equal to their normal monthly usage. A 12-month commitment would be required. The cost of each 100-kWh block would be slightly higher to reflect the higher cost of wind energy. Lori A.

Byline: 
Lori A. Burkhart
Read Entire Article

"Primergy" Merger in Limbo

Milwaukee County District Attorney E. Michael McCann has been appointed to investigate allegations that Wisconsin PSC member Dan Eastman acted improperly by talking with Wisconsin Energy Chairman Richard Abdoo and others about the proposed "Primergy" merger between WE and Northern States Power Co., prompting sources to speculate that too many delays could kill the merger.

The Minnesota PUC reportedly is also investigating ex parte allegations, but Minnesota DPU Administrative Law Judge Allan Klein has ruled that the merger would not be harmful or anti-competitive.

Byline: 
Lori A. Burkhart
Read Entire Article
V