Sample State Regulatory Agency Releases - by Targeted News Service

FLORIDA PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION AMENDS CODE OF ETHICS

Copyright © HT Media Ltd. 2005

TALLAHASSEE, Fla., Nov. 29 -- The Florida Public Service Commission issued the following news release:

The five-member Florida Public Service Commission unanimously adopted a revised code of ethics for its members Tuesday.

The revised standards emphasize promoting "public confidence in the integrity and impartiality of the Commission" and avoiding "even the appearance of impropriety" in all activities.

Commissioner Lisa Polak Edgar said, "Our action today reinforces this Commission's commitment to the highest ethical standards and public trust."

In signing legislation earlier this year related to the Commission, Gov. Jeb Bush urged the PSC members to move forward with efforts to amend the agency's ethics code to reflect their commitment to adhere to the highest ethical standards.

NEW YORK STATE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION ANNOUNCES VOLUNTARY GAS SUPPLY AGREEMENT FOR CORNING

Copyright © HT Media Ltd. 2005

ALBANY, N.Y., Dec. 6 -- The New York State Public Service Commission issued the following news release:

The New York State Public Service Commission (Commission) today announced the filing of a voluntary mutual aid agreement that will provide Corning Natural Gas Corporation (Corning) access to sufficient flowing gas supplies to serve customers for the entire winter heating season. The long-term voluntary agreement between KeySpan Corporation (KeySpan) and Corning resolves the Commission's most important and immediate concerns regarding Corning's gas supplies.

"I want to commend staff and all the parties involved for working relentlessly over the past month to assist Corning in meeting customers' gas supply needs this winter," said Commission Chairman William M. Flynn. "Today's voluntary mutual aid agreement is an important accomplishment, and KeySpan Corporation should be commended for its willingness to provide both immediate and long-term assistance to Corning and its customers."

The voluntary mutual-aid agreement between KeySpan and Corning is effective immediately and provides the necessary security to support gas purchases. As a result of this agreement, Corning's lender has agreed to restore the company's access to its line of credit facility. The combination of the comprehensive mutual aid contract with KeySpan and the restoration of the credit line should be sufficient to provide Corning with the gas supplies and other working capital needed for the remainder of the winter heating season.

On November 22, 2005, the Commission announced that KeySpan had submitted a letter of commitment that ensured Corning had sufficient flowing gas and storage gas supplies to serve it customers during the month of December. Today's mutual-aid agreement will cover Corning's gas supply needs through March 31, 2006.

CALIFORNIA PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION SETS RETURN ON EQUITY FOR INVESTOR-OWNED UTILITIES

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SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 15 -- The California Public Utilities Commission issued the following news release:

The California Public Utilities Commission (PUC) today set the 2006 return on common equity (ROE) for Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E), Southern California Edison Company, and San Diego Gas and Electric Company (SDG&E).

The ROE for PG&E is 11.35 percent, which results in a corresponding 8.79 percent return on rate base (ROR). This ROR is two basis points higher than the currently authorized 8.77 percent ROR and results in a revenue requirement increase of approximately $11.8 million ($9.8 million electric and $2 million gas).

The ROE for Edison is 11.6 percent, which results in a corresponding 8.77 percent ROR. This ROR is thirty basis points lower than its currently authorized 9.07 percent ROR and results in a revenue requirement decrease of approximately $26.4 million.

The ROE for SDG&E is 10.7 percent, which results in a corresponding 8.23 percent ROR. This ROR is the same as its currently authorized ROR and results in a nominal, if any, change in its revenue requirement.

For more information on the PUC, please visit www.cpuc.ca.gov.