Newspapers / The Perquimans Weekly (Hertford, … / Aug. 2, 1979, edition 1 / Page 4
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epco ( Continued from page one) V ; V-"V" ' i 1 ? ? ? ?nd the reduction in current rates is in excess of |4.1 og an annual basis. The additional reduction beginning 1*0 will be in excess of $500,000 annually. its Order the Commission stated, "While these downward are significant and are ifcc maximum that can be under the General Statutes of North Carolina, they wfll not result in Vepco's retail rates being comparable at this time to those of other electric utilities serving North Carolina". "Nor can the Commission preclude Vepco (or other electric utilities for that matter) from filing for increased rates in the future based on increased costs due to inflation in our economy. However, in future rate proceedings the Com mission intends to consider adjustments for excess costs as detailed in this docket". "As a result, it can be anticipated that Vepco's rates during the next few years will be significantly less than they other wise wouid be. During these hearings the Public Staff projected that Vepco's rates in the future will attain closer parity with those of neighboring as Vepco moves away from its heavy dependence on expensive oil-fired generation". Based on the Public Staff's projections and the Com mission's downward adjustments, Vepco's retail rates are expected to become comparable in the 1983-84 time frame of Carolina Power ? Light Company". . "Furthermore, the Commission will carefully consider in future rate proceedings, Vepco's rate of return on stockholder's equity during the future periods that Vepco must continue to rely on a high percentage of expensive oil-fired generation". "While Vepco's management cannot justifiably be criticized for making what was not an unreasonable business decision in the late 1960s and early 1970 to rely on a substantial amount of oil-fired generation due to the projected economical advantage of oil over coal at that time, neither does it appear to the Commission that Vepco's stockholders should enjoy more than a very minimum return while their ratepayers are bearing the burden of the higher cost of these oil-fired plants. However, as required by the General Statutes of North Carolina, the Commission must withhold judgement on the determination of an appropriate future rate of return pending the hearing of further evidence in any general rate case that may be filed in the future. The Commission would point out that the rate of return on stockholders' investment allowed in Vepco's last general rate case was approximately 10% less than that allowed to the otfier major electric utilities serving the public in North Carolina. ''These actions as a composite should provide sufficient incentive to Vepco to improve its operations in the areas outlined in this Order. Assuming the Public Staff's price projections, Vepco's present and potential customers should sfe 'a light at the end of the tunnel' in terms of reaching parity wjth rates being paid by other North Carolinians for electric uWity service." Hot weather is termed possible health hazard *As the mercury continues t? climb during these hot, hlimid summer months, the linger of on-the-job heat s$ress increases dramatical ly across North Carolina. ?That warning was issuea today by Donald G. Wiseman, director of the ItC. Department of Labor OSHA Division. Heat stroke is the most dangerous possible result of heat stress, and it can mean a life-and-death emergency situation. Hfeat exhaustion and heat cramps also cause serious problems in the work place, according to Wiseman. Symptoms of heat stroke are extremely high temperature (106 degrees Fahrenheit or higher); failure of cne sweating mechanism; hot, dry skin; rapid, strong pulse; and possible loss of con sciousness. "A person suffering from heat stroke must be cooled immediately by any avail able means," Wiseman said, "even before emergency medical personnel reach the scene. \ Grand Opening ! Punkini will hold a ribbon cutting ceremony Saturday at 12:90 to honor their Grand Opening at Harris Shopping Center. Their new location is ?Hfc ji where Scottie was formerly located. Punkina is owned and operated by Kay and Mickey Knight. THAT WAS JUST BREAKFAST ON THE FRONT PAGE! - While the menu never varies, enthusiasm runs high at lunchtime. Social Services ( Continued from page one) Work Incentive (WIN) pro gram in the state. For the twelve-month period ending September 30, 1978, the average cost for ad ministration and services of $834 per WIN registrant entering unsubsidized employment, was the lowest in the country. North Carolina's program also ranks either first or in the top three in other areas. "During the federal fiscal year 1978, these two agencies through their respective local offices, assisted more than 5,000 Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) welfare clients in entering unsubsidized employment, of which 700 were AFDC ap plicants whose welfare grants had not yet been authorized. Annualized welfare savings resulting from the employ ment amounted to over $8 million, while an estimated $1.2 million was generated in Medicaid savings," Duncan said. Additional benefits accru ing to North Carolina through WIN was the $24 million in annualized wages earned by these welfare clients enrolled in WIN. During the same period 2,500 of these clients went off the welfare rolls completely, according to Duncan. "These monetary savings are very important to your state and the reason why we bring this to your attention; however, as you readily recognize, the more critical savings are in terms of the human benefits derived as ftiany of thd Individuals no longer face the specter of welfare as a way of life, but ' instead have strengthened 1 their self-esteem and now '< contribute to society in their ( own right. Your WIN pro- < gram has made this possi- j ble," concluded a letter presented to the Governor by federal officials of both the Departments of Labor and HEW. "Take My location... Please? DON'T GO AWAY! ? At a time when resort areas across the United States are closing their doors and going bankrupt from lack of business, North Carolina's tourism industry is rebounding with record crowds from perhaps the most disastrous summer in its history. Struck hard by bad weather, multiple oil spills off its resort beaches, a series of dead fish dumpings, the gasoline shortage and economic uncertainties, North Carolina's at tractions have used resourcefulness to reclaim a large share of lost business. It has come back from an estimated 20 to 30 percent drop in visitation during Hay, June, and early July to pull almost even with last year's record-breaking numbers. There are many places to visit in North Carolina, Blowing Rock, the Outer Banks, Grandfather Mountain, Carowinds Theme Park in Charlotte, Maggie Valley, golf areas of Pinehurst and Southern Pines. So North Carolinians: "DON'T GO AWAY. Public meeting to be held on water purity in Raleigh memorandum of understand ing between the State of North Carolina and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The meeting is scheduled A public meeting will be leld jointly by the Depart ment of Human Resources and Natural Resources and Community Development concerning the proposed for August 14 at 1 p.m., in the ground floor hearing room of the Archdale Building, North Salisbury Street, Raleigh. The agreement under discussion covers policy re^fc quirements of the Clean"*" Water Act, the Safe Drink ing Water Act, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, and the Clean Air Act. Brabble's Country Store * \ ; V ? >> * ' ' i ? (formerly Bethel Market) Route 1, Hertford, N.C. Will be open for business Mon., August 6, 1979 _ new owners ? Lee and Margaret Brabble MOk THRU SAT. 7:30 A.M.-9:00 P.M. .H f . (a little bit of everything ) We will be closed Aug. 1-5 for remodeling & -v-ru
The Perquimans Weekly (Hertford, N.C.)
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Aug. 2, 1979, edition 1
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