Massachusetts Gov. William Weld and Lt. Gov. Paul Cellucci have filed a proposal with the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (DPU) that would require all Massachusetts electric utilities to develop deregulation plans by the end of 1995.
In the proposal, the Massachusetts Division of Energy Resources (DOER) asks the DPU to issue a June 16 restructuring timetable that schedules a final order around August 1. The final order would:
s Direct utilities to file unbundled cost information along with strategic restructuring plans (SRP)
s Promulgate the DPU's restructuring principles and SRP filing requirements.
The DOER recommends structured negotiation to develop consensus on restructuring and SRPs. DOER also suggests the DPU give greater weight and expedited treatment to SRPs that adhere to the DPU's principles and reflect consensus. Lt. Gov. Cellucci said: "A restructuring of the utility industry is a logical move to reduce what are currently among the highest electricity rates in the nation."