Orange & Rockland Utilities Inc. and Central Hudson Gas and Electric Corp. have submitted their restructuring plans to the New York Public Service Commission as part of the commission's efforts to develop a new framework for the electric industry in the state's "Competitive Opportunities" proceeding.
Orange & Rockland's four-year proposal would reduce overall rates by $37 million (Case 97034/ 96E0900). Industrial customers would pay an average electric price of 6 cents per kilowatt-hour. All other customers could expect a 1-percent rate cut in May 1997 and an additional 1-percent cut in May 1988. Orange & Rockland's "PowerPick" energy supplier choice program would be extended to all customers by May 1, 1998. Full retail access to a competitive energy and capacity market would be available May 1, 1999 for all customers. The utility would reorganize its present holding company structure into a regulated transmission and distribution subsidiary, and separate generation and energy service companies.
Central Hudson Gas and Electric's proposal would freeze base electric rates through June 30, 2001. Rates for large industrial customers would be cut (Case 97033/9E0909). Customer access to electric from alternate suppliers would be phased in starting early in 1998. Full access will be available to all customers on July 1, 2001. A choice pilot will give members of Dairylea Cooperative and other eligible farm and food processor customers access to alternative suppliers starting October 1997. Central Hudson will file a petition prior to Jan. 1, 2000, for a revised organization that structurally separates fossil fuel generation from transmission and distribution.