CHAPTER 217
FORMERLY
HOUSE BILL NO. 788
AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION TO EXPEND FUNDS FROM THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION REGULATORY REVOLVING FUND TO PAY FOR THE SERVICES OF CONSULTANTS RETAINED BY THE COMMISSION FOR CURRENT RATE HEARINGS, ASSOCIATED RATE HEARING EXPENSES, AND OTHER CONTRACTUAL SERVICES.
WHEREAS, the Public Utilities Act of 1974, enacted on June 28, 1974, provides for the funding of the operations of the Public Service Commission from a Regulatory Revolving Fund derived from a 2 (.002) mills annual assessment of utility operating revenues to be paid into the fund on or before April 1st of each year; and
WHEREAS, said assessments have been deposited in the fund; and
WHEREAS, the Public Service Commission requires additional funds for hearings as a result of: unanticipated expenditures arising from Delmarva Power 6c Light Company's tariff design proceeding, the filing of two major rate cases during the second half of FY 80, and the Impact on the Commission's FY 80 operating budget of a transfer of $50,000 from the Commission's FY 79 budget to the Office of the Public Advocate;
NOW, THEREFORE:
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE:
Section 1. There is hereby authorized to be expended from the Public Service Commission Regulatory Revolving Fund the sum of $90,000 in addition to those funds authorized in the approved Budget for its operations to June 30, 1980, in accordance with the provisions of Section 116, Chapter 1, Public Service Commission, Title 26, Delaware Code.
Section 2. The funds authorized shall be allocated to line items as follows:
(I) The transfer of $50,000 during fiscal year 1979 to the Public Advocate resulted in a deferral of some matters from fiscal year 1979 to fiscal year 1980.
Delmarva Power dc Light Company's Phase HI hearings have resulted in expenses In excess of that which were estimated due to participation by the United States Department of Energy, as well as other parties to the proceeding.
Three major filings are scheduled to be hear in the second half of 1980. These cases will require substantial review and analysis.
(2) Additional expenses in this area are due mainly to the high rate of inflation and a greater number of proceedings requiring additional advertising and printing costs.
Approved April 9,1980.