The Ohio Public Utility Commission approved Monongahela Power’selectric transition plan on the one year anniversary of the dayOhio’s electric restructuring bill took effect.

The approval of the fifth and final utility’s plan signified agiant step in perpetuating electric choice in the state of Ohio.Like the other plans, stipulations provide for a 5% rate reductionand a rate freeze through the end of the market development periodamong other conditions.

“This Commission order, and the four that proceeded it, providefor an environment that will create a retail market and provideopportunities for customer savings beginning January 1, 2001,” saidPUCO Chairman Alan Schriber.

PUCO already has approved plans from AEP, Cincinnati Gas &Electric, Dayton Power and Light, and First Energy. All of thecompanies’ electric deregulation plans begin on Jan. 1 (see Daily GPI,Oct. 2).

Monongahela Power, a subsidiary of Allegheny Energy, provideselectric energy generation, transmission, and distribution servicesto approximately 28,000 customers in all or part of sixsoutheastern Ohio counties.

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