A decision to adopt final numbers in Southern California Edison’s triennial rate case has been put off by regulators. That delay--now approaching its third California Public Utilities Commission business meeting postponement--worries the financial community as well as Edison management. Despite the recession, two different CPUC officials have offered Edison varying increases. The first proposal by administrative law judge Regina DeAngelis, offers a 23.9 percent increase over 2006. The other is a more generous alternative that would authorize a 29.75 percent hike over 2006. President Mike Peevey is backing this higher increase. The initial proposed decision by DeAngelis would allow investment for projected load growth as well as catching up on deferred maintenance on facilities like distribution lines. Peevey wants higher expenditures for capital investment. Consumer advocates are livid over the proposals. “It’s worse and worser,” said Mindy Spatt, The Utility Reform Network spokesperson. Others maintain that load growth is disappearing in the current recession.
