Federal Agencies
Nuclear Plant Fines. The Nuclear Regulatory Commis-
sion has proposed fines totaling $2.1 million against Northeast Nuclear Energy Co. for many violations at the company's Millstone nuclear plant in Waterford, Conn. The fine marks the largest civil penalty ever proposed by the NRC. Northeast Utilities said it will pay the fine, which it called "a necessary and important step toward bringing to closure a very disappointing and difficult chapter in the company's history." The utility said it will not pass the cost onto ratepayers.
Electric Futures. The New York Mercantile Exchange has
submitted to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission three electric futures and options contracts based on delivery in the eastern United States. The three delivery sites are: the Pennsylvania-New Jersey-Maryland transmission system, the Cinergy transmission system (Ohio); and the Entergy transmission system (Louisiana).
Power Pools & Reliability
ISO Proposal. Eleven investor-owned electric utilities on
Dec. 9, 1997 agreed to explore creation of an independent system operator. Participating utilities are: Consumers Energy, Detroit Edison, Duquesne Light Co., The Cleveland Electric Illuminating Co., Ohio Edison, Pennsylvania Power, Toledo Edison, Virginia Power and the Allegheny Power Companies. The companies serve 26 million customers in Maryland, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Virginia. They own 30,000 miles of transmission lines, representing an investment of about $6 billion. The group has hired National Grid Co., to help participants find common ground on issues such as governance and pricing.