NEWS
Alabama Public Service Commission For Immediate Release
P.O. Box 991 December 10, 1998
Montgomery, AL 36101-0991
Contact: Karen Gaston, 242-5025
APSC JOINS LOW-COST ELECTRIC STATES IN VOICING DEREGULATION CONCERNS TO CONGRESS
MONTGOMERY, AL - Today, some 23 state public utility commissions of low-cost energy states, including the Alabama Public Service Commission, joined together to inform Congress of various concerns regarding electricity restructuring.
Currently, Congress has several bills relating to electricity restructuring under consideration. As this debate has reached a national level, a majority of the low-cost energy states have become concerned that several issues which affect them may not be given adequate consideration.
A letter addressing these concerns was sent by the utility commissions to Congress for consideration. These low-cost states are asking for the ability to determine whether electric restructuring is appropriate on a state-by-state basis without a federal mandate.
The letter states, "… We want to ensure that low-cost states have a 'National Voice' in the debate; that Congress understands how 'Low Rates' serve consumers and states in a variety of ways; that 'Rural Electricity Rates' are not disadvantaged; that 'Stranded Costs' are given thorough consideration; and that 'Economic Development' advantages are not eroded by restructuring."
"We do not want to impede the progress of any state that has decided to implement a competitive retail market in order to bring choice and lower electric rates to their consumers. We do, however, want to make sure that Congress gives equal consideration to the issues facing the low-cost states," the letter states.
In referring to Alabama's participation in this joint effort, Alabama Public Service Commissioner Jan Cook said, "The Commission has taken this step to make sure our voice is heard in the national discussion on electricity restructuring. We will do everything in our power to protect the interests of Alabama ratepayers."
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Commissioner George C. Wallace Jr. echoed this statement. "We are deeply committed to looking out for the welfare of Alabamians in any policy decisions on this issue. The Commission is working to see that our citizens continue to enjoy some of the most reasonably priced electric service in the nation," he said.
"We have worked hard to keep our electricity rates as low as possible," said Alabama PSC President Jim Sullivan, noting that Alabama Power Company rates currently are more than 15 percent below the national average. "As the high-cost states push Congress for relief, we will be fighting just as hard in Washington to ensure that Alabama ratepayers don't have to pay more so other states can pay less."
Sullivan will play a leadership role in the national debate. In November, he was elected president of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC), the principal voice of the states on U.S. energy and telecommunications policy issues.
The 22 state commissions in addition to the Alabama Public Service Commission included in the letter are the Florida PSC, Georgia PSC, Idaho PUC, Indiana URC, Kentucky PSC, Louisiana PSC, Minnesota PSC, Mississippi PSC, Missouri PSC, Montana PSC, North Carolina Utilities Commission, North Dakota PSC, Oklahoma Corporation Commission, Oregon PSC, South Carolina PSC, South Dakota PSC, Tennessee Regulatory Authority, Utah PSC, Virginia State Corporation Commission, Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission, West Virginia PSC and the Wisconsin PSC.
The Alabama Public Service Commission has launched a proceeding to study electricity restructuring and its impact on the state. More information is available on the APSC's Web site at www.psc.state.al.us.
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