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Show COMPLEXITIES ARISE IN ELECTRICAL RA TE SCHEDULE The new rate schedule of the Southern Utah Power Company is still In a state of confusion and may become worse before the Issue Is finally settled. The new rate schedules have been filed by the company with the Public Service Commission In keeping with the most recent order or-der of the commission, which normally would mean that the new rates would become effective effec-tive Immediately. However, two protests have been filed with the commission which may result in re-hearings of the Issue and perhaps per-haps Just delay In settling the matter. Residential Increase After .the Public Service Com-mission Com-mission had granted the power company an increase in annual revenue of about $09,000, a rate schedule was filed which did not tlal Increase was not Included in the original schedule the 5 Include an Increase for residential residen-tial users. Following extensive hearings the commission rejected reject-ed the rate schedule and ordered the compan to change Its proposed pro-posed rates to Include a 5 per cent increase to residential users. This has been done and the proposed new schedule is on file with the commission, Including the 5 per cent Increase. However, the company's first filing did not Include the 5 per cent Increase, which prompted a vigorous protest pro-test from the Cedar Valley Pumpers Association. Since that time the residential increase has been added to the original filing. Pumpers Protest The pumpers association protest pro-test maintains that the rate proposed pro-posed is unjust and discriminatory, discrimina-tory, and maintains that If resi dential users are not to be assessed as-sessed an increase, the company should be denied any Increase. Most of the protest from the association as-sociation is based on the failure of the company to file the 5 per cent Increase, and since the increase in-crease has subsequently been filed there is no indication what action the commission will take on the protest The pumpers maintain that the company had indicated that the residential increase would not be applied, and therefore the whole increase should be denied. The protest accuses the company of determining which of Its users shall bear an increase, and thereby ignoring the decision of the commission. Other Protestant The second protest came from Cedar City Corporation, based on the charge that since a residen- per cent Increase has been ordered or-dered without hearing. The protest pro-test maintains that the establishment estab-lishment of an Increase without giving the users affected the right of hearing Is unlawful and Improper and that such an increase in-crease cannot be put Into effect. The protest Is directed against the commission action ordering the increase of 5 per cent without with-out first granting the right of a hearing. Mayor Arnold Anderson states that if the Fublic Service Commission Com-mission rejects the city protest, the matter will be carried Into the Supreme Court. The next move depends entirely en-tirely on what action the commission com-mission takes on the two protests. pro-tests. Members of the commission commis-sion have Indicated, however, that action on the matter will be taken before the end of June. |