NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC OF A

NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC OF A

PROPOSED RATE INCREASE

BY THE POTOMAC EDISON COMPANY

On April 13, 1983, The Potomac Edison Company (“Potomac Edison”) filed an application for an increase in total annual revenues of approximately $1,550,000. The proposed increase was filed in conjunction with the annual Financial Operating Review (“FOR”) data submitted by Potomac Edison and was based upon a test period ending December 31, 1982. Pursuant to the Commission’s FOR procedure, Potomac Edison requested that the increase be allowed to go into effect, on an interim basis and subject to refund, thirty days after the application was filed.

By Interim Order filed May 13,1983, the Commission found that there was a reasonable probability that the requested increase would be justified following a full investigation and hearing. The Commission authorized Potomac Edison to apply the proposed, amended tariffs to service rendered on and after May 13,1983, on an interim basis and subject to refund until such time as a final order is issued in this proceeding.

The Commission has scheduled a public hearing before a Hearing Examiner to b-gin at 10:00 a.m. on September 23,1983, in the Commission’s Courtroom, 13th Floor, Jefferson Building, Bank and Governor Streets, Richmond, Virginia, to receive evidence relevant to the proposed rate increase.

Parties who wish to speak at the September 23, 1983 hearing and not participate as a Protestant, may be scheduled by writing the address listed in the last paragraph of this notice*. Any person who wishes to comment in writing on the proposed increase should send such comment to the* same* address.

Copies of the application, the* proposed schedules of rates and charges, and the testimony of the company’s witne*sse*s may be reviewed in the* Document Control Center of the* Commission or at any office of Potomac Edison where bills may be paid.

On or before July 1, 1983, all persons whoex pect to submit evidence, cross-examine witnesses, and otherwise participate in the* he*aring as Prot estants, as provide*d by Rule* 4 :6 of the Commission’s Rules of Practice and Proce*dure*, shall file with the Clerk a Notice* of Prote*st as require*d by Rule 5:16(a). A copy of the* Notice of Protest shall be served on the company’s counsel, John W. Riely, Esquire, Hunton & Williams, P.O. Box 1535, Richmond, Virginia 23212.

On or before September 2, 1983, all persons who have filed a Notice* of Prote*st and who still expect to participate at the hearing as a party Protestant must file* an original and twenty (20) copies of all prepared te*stimony and exhibits of the witnesses to be* offered at the* he*aring and shall serve five (5) copies thereof upon counsel for the company and upon all other Protestants. No later than September 2, 1983, all Prote*stants shall also have filed a written Protect as require*d by Commission Rule* 5:16(b).

On or before September 2, 1983, the* Commission s Staff shall file with the* Clerk a Staff re*port and shall serve a copy upon the* company’s counsel and each Protestant. On or before September 14, 1983, Potomac Edison shall file with the Clerk and each Protes tant the testimony and exhibits it expects to introduce in rebuttal to the Staff report and to the direct prefiled testimony and exhibits of the Protestants. Any party participating as a Protestant should review the instructions regarding discovery set forth in the Commission’s order in this proceeding dated May 20, 1983. All written communications and filings pertaining to the application should be addressed to Clerk, Document Control Center, P.O. Box 2118, Richmond, Virginia 23216.