Panel votes to back administrator

Friday, March 12, 1999 | 11:52 a.m.

Commissioners voted 2-1 to back the rule, which would give an administrator oversight of the transmission lines over which power flows.

When the electrical industry is opened to competition next year, transmission of power will remain regulated. An ISA would schedule transmission and prevent preferential treatment to competing power companies.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has endorsed regional transmission ISAs, but there has been no movement toward forming a regional office in the West. The PUC has gone on record as favoring a state ISA until a regional agency is established.

Commissioner Don Soderberg opposed the rule because he felt it would coerce Nevada Power Co. and Sierra Pacific Resources Inc. into endorsing the ISA concept when they may have a different administrative system to regulate transmission lines.

The PUC has conditionally approved the merger of the two companies, which now must go before the FERC for approval.

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