Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, September 19, 1995 TAG: 9509190041
SECTION: BUSINESS PAGE: B-5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: GREG EDWARDS STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The action elevates to a more formal level a probe the SCC ordered earlier this year. The agency said it's important to look at the benefits and disadvantages of competition and restructuring so it can develop policies to ensure Virginians can get the electricity they need at reasonable costs "without other customers, or the utilities themselves, being treated unfairly."
Although Virginia is not "plagued with high-cost power" and the state's larger electric utilities charge less than the national average, that doesn't mean some improvements cannot be made to provide reliable service at a lower cost; those possibilities must be explored, the SCC said.
Appalachian Power Co. of Roanoke is restructuring to prepare for increased competition within the electric industry. Apco and other operating companies of the Columbus, Ohio-based American Electric Power System are consolidating many functions as a part of the restructuring
Don Johnson, a spokesman for Apco, said Monday the company had not seen the SCC order. But, he said, changes clearly are under way in the industry, and it's important that the SCC take an active role and be aware of what's happening.
"It's important they understand the impact their decisions will have on utility companies and the customers they serve," Johnson said.
The commission said it wants any interested party to participate in the investigation and has directed the state's utilities to cooperate with its staff.
The commission ordered the staff to prepare a report on its findings with recommendations by March 29. It gave the public until May 31 to respond to the report.
by CNB