REGULATORY MATTERS |
4.
REGULATORY MATTERS
A.
PEC RETAIL RATE MATTERS
FUEL COST RECOVERY
On May 7, 2009, PEC filed with the SCPSC for a decrease in the fuel rate charged to its South Carolina ratepayers. On May 28, 2009, PEC jointly filed a settlement agreement with the South Carolina Office of Regulatory Staff (ORS) and Nucor Steel. Under the terms of the settlement agreement, the parties agreed to PECs proposed rate reduction of approximately $13 million. On June 19, 2009, the SCPSC approved the settlement agreement. The decrease was effective July 1, 2009, and decreased residential electric bills by $2.08 per 1,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh), or 2.0 percent, for fuel cost recovery.
On June 4, 2009, PEC filed with the NCUC for a decrease in the fuel rate charged to its North Carolina ratepayers. The filing was updated on August 17, 2009. PEC is asking the NCUC to approve a $14 million decrease in the fuel rates driven by declining fuel prices. If approved, the decrease would take effect December 1, 2009, and would decrease residential electric bills by $0.45 per 1,000 kWh, or 0.4 percent, for fuel cost recovery. A hearing on the matter was held on September 15, 2009, and an order is expected in November 2009. We cannot predict the outcome of this matter.
DEMAND-SIDE MANAGEMENT AND ENERGY-EFFICIENCY COST RECOVERY
See Note 7B in the 2008 Form 10-K for discussion of North Carolinas comprehensive energy legislation, which became law on August 20, 2007. As a result of the legislation, PEC has implemented a series of demand-side management (DSM) and energy-efficiency programs and will continue to pursue additional programs. These programs must be approved by the NCUC, and we cannot predict the outcome of the DSM and energy-efficiency filings currently pending approval by the NCUC or whether the implemented programs will produce the expected operational and economic results.
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On June 6, 2008, and as subsequently amended, PEC filed an application with the NCUC for approval of a DSM and energy-efficiency rider to recover all program costs,including the recovery of appropriate incentives for investing in such programs. On November 14, 2008, the NCUC issued an order allowing PEC to implement the rates requested in PECs November 14, 2008 revision to its initial application. The new rates, subject to true-up to the final order, were implemented on December 1, 2008, increasing residential electrical bills by $0.74 per 1,000 kWh, or 0.8 percent. On December 9, 2008, the North Carolina Public Staff filed an Agreement and Stipulation of Partial Settlement with PEC and some of the other parties to the proceedings. The NCUC held a hearing on the matter on January 7, 2009. On June 15, 2009, the NCUC issued an order approving the Agreement and Stipulation of Partial Settlement, subject to certain modifications. PEC estimates the year-to-date impact of these modifications to be immaterial. On July 13, 2009, PEC filed a motion asking the NCUC to reconsider certain provisions of the June 15, 2009 order and stay the requirements for PEC to revise its cost-recovery filings in accordance with the decisions approved in the order. On July 20, 2009, th |