Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes
Chapter 5 - Powers and Duties
Section 520 - Power of commission to order cancellation or modification of construction of electric generating units


(a) General rule.--The commission shall order any public utility engaged in producing, generating, transmitting, distributing or furnishing electricity to cancel or modify the construction of, or its participation in the construction of, any generating unit where the commission, after notice and an opportunity for hearing, determines that the construction is not in the public interest. In addition to any other relevant matters, the commission shall consider in its determination whether:
(1) The generating unit is necessary for the utility to provide adequate and reliable service to the public.
(2) There are less costly alternatives by which the utility could maintain its ability to provide adequate and reliable service.
(b) Investigations and hearings.--For the purpose of enabling the commission to make its determination, it may hold hearings, make inquiries and require the submission of information which it deems necessary or proper in enabling it to reach a determination. The burden of proof at these hearings to show that construction of the generating unit is in the public interest shall be on the public utility.
(c) Regulatory treatment of costs.--Notwithstanding any other provisions of this title, for a generating unit canceled after the effective date of this section, either voluntarily or by commission order, an electric utility may be permitted to recover a return of, but not a return on, prudently incurred costs on any partially completed facility when cancellation is found by the commission to be in the public interest. The burden of proof to show that any costs claimed were prudently incurred shall be on the public utility.
(Oct. 10, 1985, P.L.257, No.62, eff. imd.)

1985 Amendment. Act 62 added section 520.

Structure Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes

Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes

Title 66 - PUBLIC UTILITIES

Chapter 5 - Powers and Duties

Extra - Chapter Notes

Section 501 - General powers

Section 502 - Enforcement proceedings by commission

Section 503 - Enforcement proceedings by Chief Counsel

Section 504 - Reports by public utilities

Section 505 - Duty to furnish information to commission; cooperation in valuing property

Section 506 - Inspection of facilities and records

Section 507 - Contracts between public utilities and municipalities

Section 508 - Power of the commission to vary, reform and revise contracts

Section 509 - Regulation of manufacture, sale or lease of appliances

Section 510 - Assessment for regulatory expenses upon public utilities

Section 511 - Disposition, appropriation and disbursement of assessments and fees

Section 511.1 - Use of Federal funds under energy program

Section 512 - Power of commission to require insurance

Section 512.1 - Power of commission to confiscate, impound and sell vehicles

Section 513 - Public letting of contracts

Section 514 - Use of coal

Section 515 - Construction cost of electric generating units

Section 516 - Audits of certain utilities

Section 517 - Conversion of electric generating units fueled by oil or natural gas

Section 518 - Construction of electric generating units fueled by nuclear energy

Section 519 - Construction of electric generating units fueled by oil or natural gas

Section 520 - Power of commission to order cancellation or modification of construction of electric generating units

Section 521 - Retirement of electric generating units

Section 522 - Expense reduction program

Section 523 - Performance factor consideration

Section 524 - Data to be supplied by electric utilities

Section 525 - Sale of generating units and power

Section 526 - Rejection of rate increase requests due to inadequate quality or quantity of service

Section 527 - Cogeneration rules and regulations

Section 528 - Use of foreign coal by qualifying facilities

Section 529 - Power of commission to order acquisition of small water and sewer utilities

Section 530 - Clean Air Act implementation plans