SD14 - Committee to Study the Relationship Between Electric Companies and Governmental Entities in Virginia

  • Published: 1976
  • Author: Committee to Study the Relationship Between Electric Companies and Governmental Entities in Virginia
  • Enabling Authority: Senate Joint Resolution 161 (Regular Session, 1975)

Executive Summary:

This report is the result of the directive contained in Senate Joint Resolution No. 161 passed by the 1975 Session of the General Assembly.

This resolution was a result of the controversy stimulated by House Bill No. 864 which was introduced in the 1974 Session of the General Assembly and would have given the State Corporation Commission jurisdiction over utility rates charged to governmental customers. Out of the discussions on the issue, the need to make a comprehensive study of the problem became apparent.

Therefore, pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution No. 161, the Governor appointed the following to study and report on the matter: James W. Burks, Jr., Management Consultant, Norfolk and Western Railway Corporation, Roanoke; Eugene L. Campbell, King William County Board of Supervisors, Manquin; Mrs. J. E. Connelly, Housewife, Chester; H. Douglas Hamner, Jr., Director of Division of Engineering and Buildings, Hopewell; Charles C. Jones, Jr., Executive Manager, Virginia Association of Electric Cooperatives, Richmond; Ernest M. Jordan, Jr., Director of Division of Public Utilities, State Corporation Commission, Richmond; Frank G. Louthan, Jr., President, Richmond Engineering Company, Richmond; John K. Taylor, Executive Coordinator--Commercial Operations, Virginia Electric and Power Company, Richmond; Robert D. Webster, Roanoke Division Assistant Manager, Appalachian Power Company, Roanoke;_ Roy L. Webber, Mayor, Roanoke; due to Mayor Webber's untimely death, Julian F. Hirst, City Manager, Norfolk, was appointed to the Committee for the remainder of their study. The Governor appointed Mr. Louthan to serve as the Chairman, and the Committee elected Mrs. Connelly as Vice Chairman.

The Division of Legislative Services made staff and facilities available to carry out the study, L. Willis Robertson, Jr. and Joanne S. Palmore being assigned to assist the study group.

One of the initial projects of the Committee was to study and compile all the background information and bring the members up to date on what had been done to date with regard to this issue. The following are summaries of their findings.