The North Carolina Utilities Commission approved Scanasubsidiary PSNC Energy’s fourth gas rate increase since May. PSNCwas granted an increase from 98 cents per therm to $1.18 per thermfor year around residential customers. The 20% hike goes in effectin January and translates into an annual cost of $160. The ratesPSNC Energy is charging customers are 50% higher than in January2000. On average, residential customers can expect to see around a$340 per year increase to their natural gas bills as compared tolast year. “With plenty of gas in storage for peak demand duringcold winter days, we’re prepared to meet our customers’ demand forgas throughout the winter” said PSNC Energy President Charles E.Zeigler. “At the same time we want to help our customers manage theimpact of higher heating bills.” PSNC is franchised to serve a28-county service area in North Carolina and distributes naturalgas to 360,000 winter-peak customers in 95 cities and communities.

FERC has scheduled a technical conference for Jan. 23 to begindeveloping procedures for monitoring power markets served by theCalifornia Independent System Operator (Cal-ISO). The Commissioncalled for the technical conference in its Dec. 15 order in whichit attempted to overhaul the flailing bulk electricity market inthe state. It will begin at 9:30 a.m. and, if necessary, will lastthrough 5:30 p.m. Questions concerning the technical conferenceshould be directed to Scott Miller at (202) 208-2171 or AndreaWolfman at (202) 208-2097.

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