| |
We
expect relatively few benefits to our community
from restructuring legislation because Seattle
City Light has the lowest electric rates in urban
America. However, pressure from larger industrial
customers, particularly those from high cost
power areas around the country, and power
marketing companies that want to serve them, may
still drive Congress or the Washington State
legislature to adopt legislation. Seattle would support such
legislation if, and only if, it meets the
following public interest tests.
- Protects the
"first access" of residents of
Seattle and other Northwest residents to
the low-cost hydroelectric power produced
in our region;
- Preserves the
responsibility and authority of local
utilities to maintain the reliability of
electric service in their area;
- Preserves
local control of rate-making and utility
operations by consumer-owned utilities;
- Provides a
workable mechanism to assure funding for
public benefits, such as conservation and
renewable resources, affordable service
for low-income, elderly and rural
customers;
- Provides
consumer protection standards and
mechanisms to assure that competition is
fair and non-deceptive, and
- Provides
safeguards to protect the environment
from air and water pollution and to
protect our fisheries.
|
