With the rapid rises of utility rates and the heightened consumer awareness of the 1970' s, public scrutiny of utility operations has become more intense. Citizens are now questioning virtually all utility expenditures, and advertising expenses are receiving a great deal of interest because advertising, by its very nature, is so visible to the general public.

The public concern over utility advertising was reflected by the approval by the General Assembly of Virginia of House Joint Resolution No. 331 during the 1979 Session.

Pursuant to this legislative directive, the Virginia State Corporation Commission respectfully submits this report, which was prepared by a committee of the Commission's staff consisting of the following:

Bernard L. Henderson, Jr., Assistant to the Commissioners
Edward C. Addison, Director of Communications
Christine G. Crafton, Director of Economic Research and Development
Richard D. Rogers, Jr. General Counsel
James R. Wittine, Director of Energy Regulation
Ryland Y. Bailey, Senior Engineer
Edward L. Flippen, Deputy General Counsel
S. Frank Leis, Assistant Director of Accounting and Finance
* * *
David H. Gates, Administrative Assistant
Robert B. McEntee, Jr., Law Clerk
Mary McIlhatten, Stenographer