The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1925-11-13
Al OF COMO
ER PROJECT

of applications, now
ore the Public Service
to begin construction of
Jed S52,0O0,0OO hydroelec-
yect on the Susquehanna
ear Conowingo, practically
iced on last week at the con-
of the commission, Clarence
Miles, Peoples Counsel, and
rnor Richie.
developed at the conference that
approval of the pending applica-
bns would not interfere with the
Commissions right of jurisdiction
yover rates and service in the inter-
val between the approval of the APP
plications and the completion of the
project for service.
Mr.. Miles agreed that the problem
of distribution, involving the COM
missions jurisdiction over rates and
service. would not develop until the
power plant has been constructed
In the two or three years required
to construct the project there will
be ample time to provide such legis-
lation as may be necessary to insure
the commission of ample power over
Conowingo.
1t was suggested by Mr.. Miles that
a special commission should be ap.
pointed to study the regulatory
problems occasioned, by the inter-
state extension of public utilities.
There are twenty power COM
panies, thirty-five bus lines and
fifteen street railway lines which
enter Maryland from other States, :"
Mr.. Miles said. ''Conowingo is
only spectacular example of the
interstate regulatory problems raised
by this interstate operation of these
utilities. It is my relief that the
law on this phase of utility operation
is in most chaotic state. The ap-
pointment of special commission to
study the situation and recommend
such legislation or interstate com
pacts as would be necessary, is
my suggestion for meeting the
situation"
Maryland should not enter into an
interstate compact without thorough
consideration of such a measure, the
Governor said. There will be plenty
of time to study the need of such
compacts and the question of regula-
ton of interstate power companies
before it might be necessary for
Maryland to enter into one, he
added.
In the meantime, the Governor de-
clared, Maryland is willing to join
other States in a discussion Of the
regulatory problems raised by the
interconnection of super-power sys-
TENS. AT present committees from
the New York and New Jersey
Public Service commissions, with
a committee from the Pennsylvania
Giant Power Board, are considering
measures for adequate regulation of
interstate power utilies. The need
of interstate compacts will be con-
sidered by these committees. In
event Maryland should be invited to
become a party to the discussion,
members of the Public Service Com
mission will represent this State, the
Governnr said.
Governor Richie cited pro
vision in the charter of the Susque-
hanna Power Company, granted by
the Legislature of 1908, which re-
quires that any or all of the power
generated on the Susquehanna river
shall be delivered in Maryland if
the people of Maryland need it.
This charter provision, he said,
would eliminate the need of power
reservation clause in any order
which may be issued in the Como
wingo case and make. certain >that
Maryland is not going to lose
power resource.
The development cannot possibly
reach the distributing stage for
years, and all questions Connected
with rates and service in this State
can be settled then.
ut is my belief that under the
charter Of the Susquehanna Power
Company and under the law of this
State the Maryland Commission al
ready has the right to require the
power to be delivered to Maryland
market which is ready for it, not
withstanding the companys contract
to deliver all the power to Pennsyl
vania. In other words, think that
the power will be sold to Pennsyl
vania, subject to the condition that
the Maryland Commission can order
it diverted to Maryland market
should one develop, and. in this
event, it is also my belief that the
Maryland Commission has sufficient
power under the existing laws to
( a danuafolv Sroculafa both rates an(