GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 1993

H	1 

HOUSE BILL 995

Short Title:  Utility Rate Fairness.	(Public)
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Sponsors: Representatives Barbee, Brawley; Arnold, Berry, Bowie, Bowman, J. Brown, Brubaker, Creech, Culp, Decker, DeVane, Dickson, Dockham, Ellis, Esposito, Flaherty, Gardner, Grady, Hayes, Holmes, Howard, Ives, Justus, Mitchell, Morgan, Nichols, Robinson, Stewart, Tallent, G. Thompson, R. Thompson, and Weatherly.
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Referred to:  Public Utilities.
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April 19, 1993

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO PROMOTE FAIRNESS AMONG CUSTOMER GROUPS IN THE ESTABLISHMENT OF UTILITY RATES AND TO ENHANCE THE COMPETITIVENESS OF INDUSTRIES LOCATED WITHIN THE STATE.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
Section 1.  The purpose of this act is to enhance the ability of industries within North Carolina to compete with industries in other states, to support industries that create stable, high-wage employment, and to increase the likelihood of attracting and retaining industry in North Carolina.
Sec. 2.  G.S. 62-133(a) reads as rewritten:
"(a)	In fixing the rates for any public utility subject to the provisions of this Chapter, other than bus companies, motor carriers and certain water and sewer utilities, the Commission shall fix such rates as shall be fair both to the public utilities and to the consumer.  The Commission shall also fix rates in a manner that does not disproportionately benefit some classes of consumers at the expense of others when the fairness of those rates is measured in light of the public utility's cost of providing service, and the Commission shall give due consideration to the effects of the rates so fixed on competitiveness of industries located within the State."
Sec. 3.  This act is effective upon ratification.