Block · one region of the page, as the scanner read it. It may hold a whole story, part of one, several, or an advertisement; stitching blocks into articles is the next step. Text is supplied OCR.
Page 4 · column 6 of 7 · from the scan, no model involved
schedule is factored into rate cases as they are reviewed, but this regulatory lag clearly works to the benefit of the utilities. Other states have ordered immediate across the board rate reductions based on the new tax rate.
The Commission staff has made a good start in the Virginia Power case currently under review by the SCC.
Virginia consumers do not object to paying fair rates for high quality, reliable utility services. We do object to paying utility bills based on outdated corporate income tax rates and inflated rates of return. We expect the State Corporation Commission to apply through its regulation of utility companies the sort of discipline that the competitive marketplace applies to nonregulated corporations. If consumers vocally support the SCC, the trickle of rate reductions should become a flood of reductions for all gas, electric, and telephone companies in Virginia. It’s only fair. J
Ms. Fox is president of the Virginia Citizens Consumer Council, a statewide volunteer consumer advocacy organization.
89.4%