OTHER NEWS - Oct. 13, 1994

Consumer Groups OK Low-Emission Vehicle Plans: Two of California’s investor-owned utilities have reached a compromise with Toward Utility Rate Normalization and Utility Consumers Action Network over the utilities’ proposals to support low-emission vehicles. The agreement was filed with the California Public Utilities Commission. California utilities have been required to submit plans to build refueling stations and to make other infrastructure improvements to prepare for auto makers’ lower-emission cars, mandated by the state Air Resources Board. The consumer groups had objected to the way ratepayers would have been required to pay for the improvements. Under the compromise, also approved by the South Coast Air Quality Management District and the Southern California Assn. of Governments, these costs will be paid back to utility consumers by the sixth year of the plans.