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To: Editors, News Directors |
Date: May 21, 2004 |
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For: Immediate Release |
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Public Comment Sessions Set for UniSource Reorganization Case |
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PHOENIX – In preparation for a courtroom-style administrative hearing on June 21, the Arizona Corporation Commissioners are traveling around Arizona to hear comment from customers on the proposed reorganization of UniSource Energy Corporation. UniSource is the parent company of Tucson Electric Power and UniSource Energy Services. These two subsidiaries are regulated by the Arizona Corporation Commission and provide electric or natural gas utility service to 550,000 customers in Arizona. |
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UniSource filed an application on December 29, 2003 to be acquired by Saguaro Utility Group, a private equity partnership. Saguaro Utility Group’s general partner is Sage Mountain LLC, an Arizona company managed and owned by Frederick Rentschler, former president and CEO of Armour-Dial, Beatrice Companies and Northwest Airlines. The group’s limited partners are investment funds affiliated with Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Company, J.P. Morgan Partners and Wachovia Capital Partners. |
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Staff from the Arizona Corporation Commission recommended against the reorganization in testimony filed on April 30, 2004. There were a number of concerns highlighted by staff that, if remedied by the company, could result in a more favorable recommendation. You can view a news release summarizing Staff’s testimony and copies of the testimony on the Commission website at http://www.cc.state.az.us/utility/electric/uecr.htm. |
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The schedule for public comment meetings is: |
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Lake Havasu City Wednesday, June 2, 2004 at 12 noon Kingman Wednesday, June 2, 2004 at 6:00 PM Prescott Thursday, June 3, 2004 at 6:00 PM Nogales Wednesday, June 16, 2004 at 5:00 PM Tucson Thursday, June 17, 2004 at 5:00 PM |
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About Public Comment Sessions |
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Public comment sessions are formal proceedings and all comments will be transcribed by a court reporter. The Commissioners may limit the duration of each individual’s comments to allow everyone a fair opportunity to speak. |
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No date has been set for the Commissioners to make a final decision on the case. The June 21 hearing in front of the administrative law judge could last several days. The judge then waits for any final briefs to be filed, for the transcripts to come in and begins working on a recommendation for the Commissioners to consider. This can take six or more weeks, depending on whether the parties are ordered to submit summary briefs. |
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Other Ways to Offer Input to the Commission |
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Public comment may also be submitted by mail or on-line. In addition, on the day of the hearing, the administrative law judge will allow time for public comment. |
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Public Comment by Mail |
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If you cannot attend the hearing or public comment sessions, the Commission encourages the timely submission of written comments. Submit comments to the Docket Control Center and they will be distributed to all registered parties or intervenors. Be sure to reference the docket numbers to ensure that your comments are properly catalogued and referenced. |
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Arizona Corporation Commission Docket Number: E-04230A-03-0933 |
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Electronic Public Comment |
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You may also comment through the Commission’s "Can We Help You" page on the Utilities Division website. Be sure to include the docket number listed above. For instructions on filing electronic public comment, click on http://www.cc.state.az.us/utility/cons/index.htm. |
