MSNBC: "Anti-terrorism costs hidden in utility bills"

[Bush_Eats_Beef]

Anti-terrorism costs hidden in utility bills
Utilities win rate increases to recoup security costs following 9/11



"Utility companies that beefed up security after the Sept. 11 attacks are now looking to recoup those costs. Some of those costs are hard to assign, like this county sheriff guarding Flordia Power's Crystal River nuclear plant in November 2001."

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6632194/

Public utility companies from sea to shining sea have spent hundreds of millions requisitioning, reviving or retro-fitting security measures in the aftermath of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. And now these companies want their money back, most of it in the form of higher rates for their customers.

The federal government stepped in quickly after 9/11 and set precedent for allowing such rate increases. Two days after the terrorist attacks in 2001, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, which regulates rates for wholesale electricity and natural gas shipments, told companies it would approve costs to upgrade security. The commission followed up with an order that defined the expenses as “prudently incurred costs necessary to further safeguard the reliability and security of our energy and supply infrastructure.”

“From a homeland security perspective, I think you would want to make certain your critical infrastructures are protected,” said Jeffery Pillon, a staff member for Michigan’s Public Service Commission. “And if the companies, at their own initiatives, or based on some industry guidance, take action to increase security, again as long as the costs are reasonable, that would give you at least a basis for allowing those expenditures to be included in rates,” said Pillon, who also is chairman of a critical infrastructure subcommittee for the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners.

[The Backlash Cometh]

1. My local government has been known to use rate increases in

the utility bills to buy park land for recreation. And I'm pretty sure that even the FBI knows about it.

Don't think it's legal, but, hey, when no one enforces the law, chaos rules.

[purduejake]

4. It's wrong, but...

At least they are investing in land that sounds like it may be preserved instead of giving even bigger bonuses.

[The Backlash Cometh]

6. Well, I don't think the reason they did it was pure.

They were making up for something they shouldn't have done years before. They also bought parkland on the front end. First they upgraded the zoning and then they bought the land for public use and now have the freedom to build commercial buildings on the land in the future if they so chose to.

Seriously, Republican government benefits a very few and is very, very expensive to the many. I don't understand why Republican voters haven't figured this out. The public gets more services under Democratic rule and a better value for their dollar.

[musette_sf]

2. Oh, I thought those were the "deregulation" fees

aka the "Enronization" fees, that we have been paying in Cali.

[purduejake]

3. I bet the increases are padded...

for extra profit. It's interesting how the local police are guarding the power plant. Aren't those costs paid by the local taxes?

[bush_is_wacko]

5. Gimme a break...

There is no energy shortage. There is a surplus of energy in a lot of states. This is just more corporate greed. If they can't get us to believe in the Bush imaginary energy shortage, they are going to bring 911 in the picture! Come on guys I thought you were way too smart to buy this story. Someone at the top is raking in some huge profits!

[Supersedeas]

7. more regressive taxes coming your way soon--courtesy of GWB II