Circumstances resulted in a short extension of the franchise into 2000 to permit the City to complete feasibility studies, hold public meetings, and make a determination to proceed with the purchase, or allow automatic renewal of the franchise for another 20 year period. Closing was scheduled on May 15, 2000. The legal action was not decided in 2000. The motion for summary judgment was not ruled on in 2000. It is our hope that this matter will be resolved in 2001.
States legislating restructuring adjacent to Colorado include Arizona and New Mexico.
Three public utility commissions have issued comprehensive restructuring orders, including New York, Michigan, and Vermont. New York is implementing retail wheeling without state legislation, but the other two need statutory authority to proceed. Three things literally leaped out of the state of Colorado-sponsored Electric Advisory Study Panel Report relative to the negative impact of retail wheeling legislation on rural areas in Colorado. Regardless of the negative impact revealed in the study, political experts predict legislation will be passed in the next two to five years. As reported last year, Empire continues to be involved in the communities it serves.