Friday, September 15, 2000

Winter Energy Controversy Heats Up A battle of sorts is underway over high electric and utility rates New York City residents may be forced to pay this winter. New York State Senator Frank Padavan told reporters that he urged the Chairperson of the New York Public Service Commission to make consumer savings "the first priority in negotiations." Padavan, who is chairman of the Senate Cities Committee, wrote in a letter to PSC Chairperson Maureen O. Helmer, "to include electric rate relief for consumers." Newspaper surveys found that New York City residents were hit with energy bills 43-percent higher than one year ago. Padavan said, winter heating costs could jump as much as 15-percent. Last month New York Governor George Pataki signed legislation prohibiting Consolidated Edison from passing the cost of purchasing power on to consumers. The move by ConEd took place following the shut-down of New York's Indian Point Two nuclear plant on February 15th. ConEd is fighting the law in federal court. If unchallenged, the law would require ConEd to rebate a total of 162-Million dollars to consumers. Padavan said he also supports a petition filed with the PSC by State Attorney General Eliot Spitzer, which charges that ConEd is making excessive profits.

NEW YORK

http://home.digitalcity.com/newyork/news/article.dci?provider=metronetworks&category=News&article=585236

-- Martin Thompson (mthom1927@aol.com), September 16, 2000