Democrats launch bid to repeal deregulation 5
Document text
--> --> Democrats launch bid to repeal deregulation SALEM (AP) - A Senate vote last week to delay electric deregulation by five months wasn't good enough for opponents who want to repeal deregulation outright. On Tuesday, they tried to do just that. Sen. Tony Corcoran's effort to substitute a measure that would halt plans to deregulate the state's electric utilities indefinitely failed on a 8-22 margin. The Cottage Grove Democrat and others are skittish about deregulation because of California's failed system. Drought conditions in the Northwest are also casting doubt on hydropower supplies for next winter. Sen. Peter Courtney, D-Salem, said no one could be sure what would happen once deregulation in Oregon begins. "It's a matter of blind faith," the Salem Democrat said. A law passed by the 1999 Legislature would permit the biggest business customers of Portland General Electric and PacifiCorp, the state's two largest privately owned electric utilities, to buy electricity on the open market as of Oct. 1. The law doesn't end regulation of electricity rates for homes and small businesses. Corcoran said he was wary of outside interests moving in and controlling Oregon's traditionally inexpensive power supply. "Do you really think the CEOs in Houston give a good cahoot about what happens in Oregon?" he said. But supporters of eventual deregulation said the plan is still a sound one and deregulation isn't the sole cause of California's woes. Sen. Lee Beyer, who was recently appointed to the state's Public Utility Commission, said repealing the deregulation won't solve the state's energy crunch. "We still have a problem with lack of generation," the Springfield Democrat said. 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