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--> --> House jousts over deregulation SALEM (AP) - The House's Republican majority on Wednesday defeated a Democrat-backed measure to delay electric deregulation for about two years, and GOP leaders said they're working on a new postponement plan. House Speaker Mark Simmons of Elgin predicted Republicans would unite behind an alternative to put off deregulation for businesses, scheduled for this fall, for 18 months. Another measure, to repeal the deregulation law altogether, was pulled off the Wednesday agenda and returned to committee. The sparring was not as much over how long to delay deregulation, which has strong support, but whether to also postpone a related new charge on electric bills for conservation and alternate energy programs. The deregulation law, passed in 1999, allows large businesses to purchase power on the open market starting Oct. 1. But California's deregulation fiasco swayed many Oregon lawmakers to favor slowing the process, although defenders of Oregon's plan argue that it contains safeguards that California's did not. The law maintains regulated power rates for all residential customers. On a party-line vote, Republicans, who control the House 33-27, rejected the bill to put off deregulation until after the 2003 legislative session. A key difference involved provisions in the measure to implement a 3-percent surcharge on all electric bills as planned in October while postponing deregulation. The surcharge is expected to raise more than $50 million a year for conservation incentives, renewable energy programs and low-income energy assistance. Simmons said the fee "amounts to a new tax" that shouldn't be charged until the benefits of deregulated pricing are in place. Rep. Rob Patridge, R-Medford, an assistant majority leader, said the new fee also would "add insult to injury" because of the likelihood of significant electricity rate increases this fall due to increased federal hydropower prices. Patridge also said an 18-month delay, scheduling deregulation to begin in April 2003, "would force the discussion" again on the issue soon after the next Legislature begins. House Minority Leader Dan Gardner of Portland said Democrats oppose the Republican plan because money from the new charge is needed to develop conservation and renewable energy programs in view of potential power shortages. Email your... Technical questions & comments to: WebMaster Daily Tidings editorial comments & questions to: Editor Visit our other Oregon Newspapers... | Albany Democrat-Herald | Ashland Daily Tidings | Corvallis Gazette-Times | | Lebanon Express | Newport News-Times | Springfield News | Cottage Grove Sentinel | Ashland Daily Tidings 1661 Siskiyou Blvd. Ashland, OR 97520 Telephone 541-482-3456 © Copyright 2001 Lee Northwest Publishing