Effect on rates of Sierra Pacific purchase still unknown

Tuesday, Nov. 9, 1999 | 9:57 a.m.

Don Soderberg, chairman of the Nevada Public Utilities Commission, said it's one of many questions the commission will have to answer before taking action on the Reno-based utility's request.

"The company becomes larger, and you assume there will be some operational efficiencies there," he said. "But we have to look at all terms to make sure it's viable."

Sierra Pacific announced plans Monday to buy Portland General from Enron Corp. in a $3.1 billion deal that would make the local utility one of the largest on the West Coast.

Sierra Pacific provides power to most of northern Nevada, including the Reno-Tahoe area.

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