Become a PUF Member Organization

Ohio Pushes Local Service Competition

The Ohio Public Utilities Commission (PUC) has reaffirmed its desire to open local exchange telephone markets to competition, urging "all deliberate speed." The PUC voiced its telephone competition policy in approving a new, six-year, price-cap regulation plan for Ameritech Ohio, a local exchange carrier (LEC). The plan, which reduces the LEC's revenue by $92.3 million, cuts intrastate toll charges by $7.9 million, residential rates by $55 million, and access charges for long-distance carriers by $8 million.
Byline: 
Phillip S. Cross
Read Entire Article

Illinois Rejects Monetization of Externatilies

The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) has reaffirmed earlier rulings that the state's least-cost planning laws must require consideration of the adverse external environmental costs of providing utility service. However, it rejected proposed new rules that would require monetization of the externalities based on projected costs of complying with future environmental regulations.
Byline: 
Phillip S. Cross
Read Entire Article

NC Supreme Court Settles Avoided-cost Dispute

The North Carolina Supreme Court has upheld state regulators' decision to reprice payments made by Virginia Electric and Power Co. (Vepco) to Ultra Cogen Systems, a qualifying facility (QF), for power purchased under avoided-cost contracts approved by Virginia's commission. The North Carolina Utilities Commission (UC) had disallowed $1.39 million in capacity costs while setting rates for the utility's Carolina Power division.
Byline: 
Phillip S. Cross
Read Entire Article

Zoning Change Raises EMF Concerns

The Rhode Island Supreme Court has ruled that the state commission did not err when it refused to reverse a decision by the Town of Portsmouth to rezone certain property from industrial to residential. Newport Electric Corp. had protested that the change could make it liable to EMF damage claims because of overhead power lines in the area.

Byline: 
Phillip S. Cross
Read Entire Article

Arkansas Encourages Wholesale Electric Competition

Citing its desire to promote a fully competitive wholesale market for electric power, the Arkansas Public Service Commission (PSC) has waived restrictions on serving wholesale and retail loads in the state for Entergy Power Inc. Entergy had proposed to sell Oklahoma Gas & Electric Co. power wheeled from two generating facilities by Arkansas Power & Light Co. (AP&L), an Entergy affiliate.

Byline: 
Phillip S. Cross
Read Entire Article

DSM Bidding Dispute Left to Utility

The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC) has refused to mediate a dispute between Washington Water Power Co. and a bidder in the utility's 1991-92 resource procurement auction. The bidder, SESCO Inc., complained after the utility found its demand-side management (DSM) program proposal not cost-effective. The UTC said the decision to close the bidding and not pursue a contract with SESCO was a matter for review in the utility's next general rate case.

Byline: 
Phillip S. Cross
Read Entire Article

Maine PUC Asserts Right to Review Utility EWG Investments

The Maine Public Utilities Commission (PUC) has rejected a settlement agreement that would have allowed Central Maine Power Co. to invest $30 million over the next three years in unspecified, unregulated power projects. The utility originally applied to create exempt wholesale generation (EWG) entities and related subsidiaries.
Byline: 
Phillip S. Cross
Read Entire Article

DC Modifies Preconstruction Review

The District of Columbia Public Service Commission (PSC) has amended regulations governing the scope of its authority over facilities constructed outside of the municipality. Late last year, the District of Columbia Public Service Commission (PSC) issued comprehensive regulations governing the preconstruction review of utility power plants, transmission lines, cogeneration facilities, and independent power production facilities.
Byline: 
Phillip S. Cross
Read Entire Article

CPUC Delays Electric Rate Decision

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has decided to adopt a "wait and see" approach in general rate proceedings for utilities affected by its generic industry restructuring case. Southern California Edison Co. asked the CPUC to postpone ruling on marginal cost, rate design, and cost-allocation issues in its 1995 general rate case until it issues a policy order in the restructuring proceeding.

Byline: 
Phillip S. Cross
Read Entire Article

Defending Against EMF Property Devaluation Cases

Late last year, New York's highest court, the Court of Appeals, ruled that the owner of property adjacent to a utility's high-power electrical transmission lines could seek damages for a decrease in the market value of the property caused by the fear that the power lines might cause cancer, even if such a fear was not medically or scientifically reasonable.
Byline: 
George Brandon
Read Entire Article