Infighting continues over delays in power industry deregulation

Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2000 | 10:02 a.m.

Under state law, Gov. Kenny Guinn has authority to delay the start of deregulation of the power industry beyond the March 1 date.

So far, he hasn't done so, but delay may be inevitable given the number of issues that must be resolved before the start date.

Former Commissioner Michael Pitlock and Commissioner Judy Sheldrew on Tuesday disclosed letters they sent to Guinn on meeting the deadline.

In a Nov. 17 letter, Pitlock said he was pleased the governor didn't intend to delay opening the industry to competition beyond the March 1 date.

Pitlock added that the commission "needs to focus on getting in place the minimum procedures and safeguards so that the markets will be usable for those few customers who will want to shop on March 1st."

In public meetings, Sheldrew has criticized PUC Chairman Don Soderberg for causing the probable delay of competition. She declined to predict whether she thought deregulation would have to be delayed in a Dec. 2 letter to Guinn, because she no longer oversees electric deregulation cases.

"As the lead commissioner, I could have reasonably assured you that the commission would have completed its implementation efforts to assure a March 1, 2000, opening date," Sheldrew said.

PUC Commissioner Richard McIntire and Soderberg also sent letters to Guinn on the deregulation deadline, but they weren't immediately available.

McIntire said earlier that Sheldrew "fostered some great work" on deregulation. However, he suggested Sheldrew was "inflexible" about the March 1 date.

"It is not Gov. Guinn, but my fellow commissioner Ms. Judy Sheldrew, who remains inflexible regarding the date and the framework of the new deregulated market," McIntire wrote.

McIntire disqualified himself from voting on some contested matters involved in electric deregulation, but he pointed out that Guinn might appoint a temporary commissioner to break deadlocks between Soderberg and Sheldrew.