PUC starts publicizing utility deregulation

As Nevada's two major electrical utilities prepare to unveil details of their merger plans, the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada is stepping up its efforts to publicize the coming new era of competition.

Nevada Power Co. and Sierra Pacific Resources plan to file officially with the PUC this week their plans to merge into one company serving the entire state. Regulators have held back comments on the well-publicized merger first announced in April until the paperwork hit state offices. Executives with Nevada Power and Sierra Pacific have said this would be the week they would file officially.

Meanwhile, PUC staff published its first brochure explaining the restructuring of the electrical industry.

Seizing the theme "Power. The choice is yours," it's a four-color brochure in a question-and-answer format. It has a logo some critics say looks like a bumble bee and a World Wide Web site with an address of www.thechoiceisyours.org.

Electrical competition is due to begin in 18 months in Nevada, so PUC regulators are stepping up their efforts to publicize it while writing the rules under which companies will compete.

Late last month, the PUC hammered out a list of proposed regulations for licensing requirements for alternative sellers as well as some consumer protection measures for companies that intend to do business in Nevada.

The proposed regulations include requirements that all competitors file documentation on their ability to serve customers. Competitors must prove their reliability, financial responsibility, fitness to serve customers, safety record and explain billing practices and customer service standards before the PUC will issue them a license. Among the requirements:

* Listing the legal names under which the company will be operating in Nevada and other states.

* Listing all corporate affiliates and identifying the telephone number of customer service contact personnel.

* Listing what type of service the company plans to offer and when.

* Listing long-term bonds and senior debt ratings and other credit records if they plan to buy and resell electric service.

Under the proposed rules, companies would also have to list a toll-free number consumers could call 24 hours to report problems, safety issues and billing matters.

Competitors also would have to allow a customer to cancel without a penalty within three business days of receiving a terms-of-service brochure. They'd also have to notify each customer of any changes in prices, fees or other charges within 14 days of the switch.

All alternative sellers have to be licensed before they can make any electric service sales in Nevada.

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