Delegate Ken Plum’s Virginia E-News – August 23, 2006

COMMENTARY

Electric Utilities

Kenneth R. “Ken” Plum

 

          The battle over deregulation of Maryland’s electric industry has caused understandable concern in Virginia. Fortunately, Virginia’s restructuring initiative is designed to avoid the last-minute crises and hasty policy decisions that characterized this spring in Annapolis.

          Virginia’s restructuring plan includes close legislative and regulatory oversight. There was no comparable supervision in Maryland. One of the chief differences is Virginia’s Commission on Electric Utility Restructuring (CEUR), set up by the General Assembly seven years ago. I have been a member since its inception. We regularly review the restructuring program and suggest changes as needed. Additionally, the State Corporation Commission maintains a close watch, issuing an annual “Status of Competition” report which has not had good news.

          Close oversight allows us to make midcourse corrections to protect consumers. Back in 2004, the CEUR recommended and the General Assembly approved extending capped rates for 3 ½ years, through 2010. This occurred when competition did not develop as quickly as some anticipated. In contrast, the Maryland legislature did not act until 16 days before Baltimore Gas & Electric’s residential rate caps expired on July 1. Dominion Virginia Power’s base rates – which cover virtually all utility costs and expenses except fuel – are capped and essentially frozen through 2010. But starting next July, and running through 2010, the company’s fuel rate – used to cover the cost of fuel burned in power stations – will be adjusted annually. Such adjustments were made regularly under the old guaranteed rate of return regulated system. The fuel rate has been frozen since January 2004. Three months ago, Governor Kaine proposed and the General Assembly approved an amendment calling for the annual recalculations. The measure also allows the SCC to defer up to 40 percent of the 2007 increase to later years. As I noted in an earlier column, the amendment should help even out the effects of higher fuel prices, especially for natural gas.

          A recent report from the U.S. Energy Information Administration found the average price of electricity for residential customers in the Commonwealth is 19 percent below the national average. It is also 13 percent below the average for nine South Atlantic states from Delaware to Florida, plus the District of Columbia.

          The inflation-adjusted price of electricity in Virginia has dropped significantly in recent years. According to Dominion Resources, the typical residential customer using 1,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity this month will pay $90.98 – just 12 cents more than in July 1993. During the same period, the Consumer Price Index has increased more than 40 percent. Dominion estimates that its capped base rates, plus the 2004-2007 fuel rate freeze, will save the typical residential customer more than $1,100.

          The CEUR this year has launched a major study of the situation in Virginia after capped rates expire at the end of 2010. We will work to keep Virginia’s electric rates among the lowest in the country.

 

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Constituent Views Sought on Special Transportation Session

 

Delegate Kenneth R. “Ken” Plum is conducting a survey of constituents on their views about Virginia’s transportation. The General Assembly is expected to meet again in Special Session in September to debate transportation funding needs.

 

“Efforts to fund transportation improvements during the regular session of the General Assembly were not successful,” said Plum. “Since then, we have seen polls suggesting some citizens are not willing to invest in a dedicated revenue stream for transportation improvements.”

 

“Those of us in Northern Virginia know the traffic problem here is serious and deserves immediate attention. I would appreciate hearing from constituents on how they think the General Assembly should deal with it,” requested Delegate Plum.

 

Constituents are requested to go to Delegate Plum’s website, www.kenplum.com, and click on “Special Transportation Survey – 2006” to express their views. Persons without access to the Internet may call 703.758.9733 to request a written copy of the survey.

 

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Delegate Ken Plum’s Weekly “Virginia Report”

 on Reston Comcast Channel 28

 

Tonight - Wednesday, August 23 at 10:30 p.m. – Lawrence H. Nelson, TrafficLand – “Traffic Views Through Technology”

 

Tuesday, August 29 at 7:30 p.m. and Wednesday, August 30 at 10:30 p.m. – Delegate Kenneth R. Plum – “The State of the Commonwealth – 2006”

 

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Delegate Ken Plum will be teaching a course, “Highlights of Virginia’s History: 1607-2007,” on Tuesdays, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., September 19 through November 7, at the Washington Plaza Baptist Church in Reston. You must be a member of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute of George Mason University in order to participate. More information at www.olli.gmu.edu. Plum is one of the founders of the Institute.

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

Receive a free reminder for getting your Pap test, mammogram, or colon cancer screening by registering at www.MyHealthTestReminder.com. Sponsored by the College of American Pathologists.

 

The State Corporation Commission (SCC) is asking for public comments on a proposal by the owners of the Dulles Greenway to revise the toll structure for the roadway. The owners, Toll Road Investors Partnership II, L.P., propose a price schedule that contains incremental increases in the maximum toll for two-axle vehicles over five years. The maximum base toll for cars would rise from $3, as now authorized to be effective July 1, 2007, to $4 as of January 1, 2012. Interested persons may also access unofficial copies of the application through the SCC’s Docket Search portal at http://www.scc.virginia.gov/caseinfo.htm. Written comments or requests for a hearing on the application must e submitted by September 28, 2006. All correspondence should be sent to the Clerk of the State Corporation Commission, Document Control Center, P.O. Box 2118, Richmond, VA 23218-2118, and refer to case number PUE-2006-00081.

 

Equality Virginia and the Commonwealth Coalition are organizing phone banking against the so-called marriage amendment at their Tyson’s Corner office, 1651 Old Meadow Road, McLean, every Monday night, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. RSVP or direct your questions to laura@votenova.org.

 

Ride in the 24th Annual Reston Century Bicycle Tour on Sunday, August 27, rain or shine, starting and finishing at the Reston Town Center Pavilion. Riders can select from three routes of approximately 34, 65, and 102 miles. Registration is available online at www.restonbikeclub.org.

 

The Virginia Department of Business Assistance invites you to attend its fall seminar, “Seeding Virginia’s Future: Finance for Emerging Businesses on Wednesday, September 6, 8:45 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Festival Center, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA. Topics will include early stage capital products to support high growth entrepreneurs and alternative loan products for businesses. The luncheon keynote will address early stage funding for business development, trends in angel investing and the importance of partnerships and mentoring for entrepreneurs and will feature David Rizzo, President & CEO of North Carolina Innovative Development for Economic Advancement. A resource fair for seminar attendees during morning registration and networking breaks will include federal and state programs, bankers, angel network representatives, and other financiers. Register online at www.dba.virginia.gov/form.asp. Click on the “Virginia Economic Development Seminar” link in the Upcoming Events section at www.dba.virginia.gov for event invitation, agenda, registration form and directions.

 

Join your friends of the Reston Museum for a 4-mile hike along a portion of the newly finished Cross-Country Trail on September 10, hiking the woodland trail from Colvin Run Mill to Georgetown Pike along Difficult Run. Biologist Squire Muse will lead the hike. Enjoy stream-side views, a fern-embanked hill trail between bends in the run, a flower-filled meadow, and wildlife. Wear sturdy shoes, and meet at the Reston Museum in Lake Anne Plaza at 1:30 p.m. to carpool to the starting point. A $5 donation to the museum is requested. Call Reston Museum at 703.709.7700 for information and registration.

 

Enjoy “Second Sunday Programs” at the Fairfax Museum and Visitor Center, 10209 Main Street, Fairfax, Virginia. The September 10 program will be “African-American Education in Fairfax County” presentation by Phyllis Walker Ford, Chairman, Laurel Grove School Association, and Page Johnson, Fairfax historian and author. All “Second Sunday Programs” begin at 2:00 p.m. and are followed by informal discussion and refreshments in the Visitor Center.

 

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors will hold a Remembrance Ceremony at the 9/11 Memorial Grove on Monday, September 11, at 9:00 a.m. They ask that people gather by 8:45 a.m. in the Forum of the Government Center, 12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax. For more information, directions, or ADA accommodations, call 703.324.3187, TTY 711.

 

 “Shop for a Cause” at any Macy’s in Fairfax County on September 16 to benefit area nonprofits. Participating organizations sell $5 shopping passes and keep all the proceeds from ticket sales. Customers will receive shopping discounts, entertainment, special events and the chance to win prizes. 

 

A Rain Garden Workshop for homeowners will be held at Meadowlark Gardens Regional Park, Vienna, on Saturday, September 16, 8:30 to noon. Attendees will receive useful information and observe the construction of a small (home-sized) rain garden. 

 

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society invites you to join dozens of local businesses and hundreds of influential Northern Virginians in the fight against blood cancers. Participate in the Light the Night Walk in the Reston Town Center on Saturday, October 7, and help make a difference. Visit www.lightthenight.org/nca for more information.

 

The 55th Virginia Transportation Conference, “Virginia’s Transportation Challenge – Saving Lives, Saving Time, Saving Money,” will be held October 9-11 at the Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center. Visit www.vatransconf.org or call 804.225.4698 for conference information.

 

Save the Date – October 14, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. – for the 5th Annual Reston at Home Tour presented by Reston Historic Trust.  Five unique, privately owned homes will be open to the public for a self-conducted tour throughout Reston neighborhoods and clusters. This year’s tour will focus on the arts featuring the homes of art collectors, artists, and musicians. Tour passes are $20 in advance, available in September at the Reston Museum at Lake Anne Village Center and at the Greater Reston Arts Center at Reston Town Center. On tour day, tickets are $25. Reston at Home Tour passes include the tour map and information, and beautiful home illustrations by Pat Macintyre. All proceeds from Reston at Home benefit the Reston Museum.

 

Take the “Fish & Chips Challenge” to benefit Nature House at the second Texas Hold ‘Em Poker Tournament on Thursday, October 19, 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. at McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood Restaurant, Reston Town Center, 11920 Democracy Drive. The event is sponsored by Friends of Reston. For more information and ticket sales, contact Katie Shaw, kshaw@reston.org, 703.435.6510.

 

The ALS Association-DC/MD/VA Chapter is sponsoring an annual Walk to D’Feet ALS in Washington, DC on October 22. ALS is amyotropic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig’s Disease. For more information call 301.978.9855 or visit www.alsinfo.org.

 

Join Habitat for Humanity of Northern Virginia at the Second Annual Black Tie & Tool Belt (both optional) Gala Awards Reception on Sunday, October 22, 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. at The Waterford, 6715 Commerce Street, Springfield. The evening will feature a silent auction with a wonderful array of prizes. All proceeds will support Habitat’s work in Northern Virginia. For sponsorship opportunities and tickets, visit www.habitatnova.org or email info@habitatnova.org.

 

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Authorized and paid for by Kenneth R. Plum.

 

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