BPA

Perspective

Some want a tighter grip on generators, but FERC should steer clear.


Some want a tighter grip on generators, but FERC should steer clear.

Frontlines

Regulators face a daunting task in sorting out power refunds in the Pacific Northwest.

Frontlines

Ripple Effects

 

Frontlines

The Midwest ISO struck a deal with utilities from low-cost states, but it may backfire.

Why should low-cost states get excited about handing over a chunk of their utility assets to an independent system operator (ISO) or other qualifying regional transmission organization (RTO)?

They might buy in if the ISO offers enough of an incentive.

Mail

"Sensible Approach" or Misguided Meddling?

The proposal by Reps. Franks and Meehan to sell federal power at market rates provokes conflicting responses from readers.

I am writing in response to an article written by Reps. Franks and Meehan entitled, "The Sensible Approach: Federal Power at Market Rates," published in the Nov. 1, 1999 edition of Public Utilities Fortnightly (see pp. 44-47). I agree that it is outrageous that electricity services for people in the Northwest are subsidized (regardless of the customers' ability to pay) by the rest of the people in this country.

People

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission appointed Bud Earley policy advisor on electric matters. Earley most recently served as director of the electric policy division of the FERC's Office of Economic Policy. The FERC named Bobbie J. McCartney an administrative law judge. She previously served as deputy chief administrative law judge in the Social Security Administration's Office of Hearings and Appeals.

The Bonneville Power Administration named Jeff Stier its new vice president of national relations. Stier joins BPA after 12 years on the staff of Rep.

News Analysis

But who gets a slice of the pie?

In August the Bonneville Power Administration released its proposed wholesale electric rates for the five-year period from 2002 to 2006. The controversial proposal is subject to five months of scrutiny, including eight public hearings from Sept. 30 through Oct. 14, with adoption of final rates expected early in 2000.

In this era of emerging competitive markets, relatively low-priced federal power is prized by wholesale customers in the BPA's Northwestern U.S. service territory.