PUC head, panel member clash over deregulation issue

Friday, Nov. 5, 1999 | 10:43 a.m.

The focus of the debate Thursday was the Mountain West Independent System Administrator, which would serve as a traffic cop charged with giving competitors fair access to transmission lines.

Nevada Power and Sierra Pacific Power own transmission lines and will be competing for retail customers after deregulation starts March 1.

Commissioner Judy Sheldrew proposed that the PUC discuss Mountain West and send its comments to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

"If we don't get the (Mountain West) order out and indicate our position to FERC and to the parties, you're jeopardizing the opening of the markets on March 1" as state law requires, Sheldrew said.

She suggested Soderberg schedule a special meeting on Mountain West before next Tuesday.

"I don't intend to decide at this moment," Soderberg replied after pulling the agenda item.

After the meeting, Soderberg rejected Sheldrew's charge that he was jeopardizing the start of competition. FERC hasn't scheduled a conference or meeting on Mountain West, he said.

The PUC regulatory operations staff has suggested that the PUC start competition without Mountain West, because the independent body may not be ready for operation March 1.