Press Release

PHILADELPHIA -- During the opening session of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners’ (NARUC) 113^th Annual Meeting, Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) Chairman Glen R. Thomas yesterday welcomed the nation’s state utility commissioners and their staffs, other state officials, and industry and consumer-group representatives to Pennsylvania.

Chairman Thomas also addressed the need for the nation’s state utility commissions to share best practices related to protecting critical infrastructure and promoting electric competition.

"On behalf of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, I welcome you to Philadelphia," Chairman Thomas said. "After the events of the last two months -- and the important work each of our states has undertaken every day since -- it is very appropriate that the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners hold our 113^th annual convention in Philadelphia, the birthplace of independence, the birthplace of liberty, the birthplace of freedom.

"Just as America is a diverse country, NARUC is a diverse organization made up of men and women who work very hard to address the diverse utility needs of our citizens. Yet, Sept. 11 united each of us -- and the utility leaders and consumers back home -- more than ever before.

"After the attacks on New York and Washington and the crash of Flight 93 in Pennsylvania, each of our state Commissions and utility leaders suddenly faced a new threat, one focused on destroying our way of life. This year’s NARUC conference gives us an opportunity to work together to build on our shared strengths in protecting our nation’s critical infrastructure."

Chairman Thomas also noted that Philadelphia is where Benjamin Franklin discovered electricity, and "therefore it is only fitting that Pennsylvania celebrate our Electric Choice Program."

Chairman Thomas presented the following snapshot of Electric Choice:

• Electric competition has saved employers and families nearly $4 billion;

• Up to 1 million Pennsylvanians have cumulatively shopped for power. Nearly 600,000 currently are shopping;

• Nowhere in Pennsylvania are customers paying more for electricity than they were in 1996 -- before Electric Choice. Before competition, electric rates were 15 percent above the nation’s. Now, electric rates are 1 percent below the nation’s;

• According to a new report issued this summer, lower retail electricity prices will lead to the creation of 40,700 full-time and part-time jobs by 2005; and

• Nearly 120,000 Pennsylvanians now use green power, more than any other state.

"We plan to share the ‘Pennsylvania Story’ with each of you, while also learning from you how we can make electric competition even stronger -- statewide and nationwide," Chairman Thomas said.

He also today recognized Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (FERC) Commissioner and former Pennsylvania PUC Commissioner Nora Brownell. Pennsylvania is working closely with FERC on issues surrounding the formation of a new Northeast Regional Transmission Organization (RTO).

"Pennsylvania is the electric-restructuring leader thanks to sound planning; the vision of our former Governor, Tom Ridge; and the cooperation of all stakeholders,"

Thomas said last week, as he outlined his priorities as Chairman. "We believe that if a Northeast RTO is established properly, through the similar exercise of sound planning and stakeholder cooperation, FERC can make Pennsylvania’s market -- and our region’s market -- even stronger.

"The Pennsylvania-New Jersey-Maryland Independent System Operator -- PJM -- is the most appropriate platform for the new RTO, which, combined with best practices from other regions, would provide the best path for the development of the electric system in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern United States."