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Headlines - 2008

• Door Open for Communities to Improve Water Infrastructure, Governor Rendell Says: Commonwealth Financing Agency Approves Water Infrastructure Guidelines (December 10, 2008)
• Court Rules Against Chloramine Opponents (December 9, 2008)
• P3s Must Be Among Options (December 9, 2008)
• SEC, MSRB: New Measures to Provide More Transparency Than Ever Before for Municipal Bond Investors (December 8, 2008)
• Pennsylvania Cuts $600M GO Sale in Half as Philly Readies $185M (December 5, 2008)
• PUC Seeks Comment on Rule Changes, Revised a Consumer Protection Guideline to Increase Competition in Retail Natural Gas Market (December 4, 2008)
• PUC Approves PPL Plan to Offer New Demand Side Response Rate for Eligible Customers (December 4, 2008)
• PUC Continues Review of Wholesale Electricity Markets During Meetings with FERC Commissioner Spitzer (December 3, 2008)
• Pennsylvania Statewide Sustainable Energy Board to Hold Annual Meeting (December 2, 2008)
• PUC Releases Autumn Edition of the ‘Keystone Connection’ Report (November 25, 2008)
• IRS Says Student Housing Developer Doesn’t Qualify as Charitable Group (November 25, 2008)
• Pennsylvania Sets $600M Competitive Sale (November 24, 2008)
• Bailout with a Price: Chapter 11 Bankruptcy (November 20, 2008)
• IRS:  Invested Funds Would Prevent District from Selling Tax-Free Trans (November 18, 2008)
• Assured Guaranty to Buy FSA from Dexia (November 17, 2008)
• PUC Begins Phase II of Act 129 Implementation Plan by Soliciting Comments on Requirements for Conservation Service Providers (November 14, 2008)
• PUC OKs Portion of TrAILCo Transmission Line, Establishes Collaborative Process for Other Issues (November 13, 2008)
• Liquidity Lift for Higher Ed Loans (November 11, 2008)
• U.S. Electric Utility Industry Needs US $2T Investment by 2030 (November 11, 2008)
• Pa. Court Says Utilities Cannot Break Rate Caps (November 7, 2008)
• PUC Announces Third Special Hearing on Trends in the Wholesale Electricity Market (November 7, 2008)
• Boost Seen for Nat. Gas under Obama; Setback for Oil (November 5, 2008)
• PUC Releases Final Agenda for Nov. 6 Special Hearing on Wholesale Energy Markets (November 5, 2008)
• Study Pegs Pennsylvania’s Water, Sewer Liabilities at $36.5B (November 4, 2008)
• FCC Approves, With Conditions, Verizon Wireless-Alltel Transaction (November 4, 2008)
• FCC Chairman Cancels Vote on Telecom Overhaul (November 3, 2008)
• For Telecoms, Some Signals of Distress: Credit Crisis Squeezes Smaller Firms (November 3, 2008)
• Justice Backs Verizon-Alltel Deal (October 31, 2008)
• PUC Announces Change in Date for Special Hearing on Alternative Energy Resources, Conservation, Efficiency and Demand Side Response (October 29, 2008)
• Justice Dept. Rules Long-Term State Lottery Leases Violate U.S. Law (October 27, 2008)
• PUC Extends Comment Period for Phase I Implementation Plan for House Bill 2200, Dealing with Energy Efficiency and Conservation (October 28, 2008)
• CenturyTel/Embarq Merger Could Ignite More Deals Between Telecoms (October 28, 2008)
• PUC Adds Reply Comment Period to Special Hearing to Discuss Trends in the Wholesale Electricity Markets (October 27, 2008)
• PUC Releases Agenda for Second Special Hearing on Trends in the Wholesale Electricity Market (October 22, 2008)
• PUC Releases Final Agenda for Oct. 23 Special Hearing on Wholesale Electricity Markets (October 22, 2008)
• PUC Solicits Comments to Initiate Phase I Implementation Plan for House Bill 2200, Dealing with Energy Efficiency and Conservation (October 21, 2008)
• Debt-Heavy Telecoms Won’t Escape the Credit Crunch (October 19, 2008)
• FCC Plans Votes on Wireless Mergers (October 16, 2008)
• PUC Commissioners Direct Implementation of House Bill 2200 (October 9, 2008)
• Pa. Legislature OKs Electricity Conservation Bill (October 9, 2008)
• States, Localities Face Deeper Crisis (October 8, 2008)
• Crisis Will Hit Telecom Business, Analyst Says (October 8, 2008)
• Short-Term Market Dries Up (October 7, 2008)
• PUC Announces Information on Special Hearing on Wholesale Electricity Markets (October 6, 2008)
• Wachovia Snubs Citigroup, Takes Wells Fargo Deal (October 4, 2008)
• House Passes $700 Billion Bailout Bill with Muni Bond Tax Provisions (October 3, 2008)
• Bailout is Law (October 3, 2008)
• Pennsylvania Governor Not Giving Up on Leasing Turnpike (October 2, 2008)
• Treasury Extends ARS Deadline (October 2, 2008)
• Natural Gas Utilities, Suppliers and Experts Brief PUC on Reliability for Winter (October 1, 2008)
• Bidders Drop $12.8B Offer to Lease Pa. Turnpike (October 1, 2008)
• Bankruptcy Judge Approves Quick Boscov’s Sale Plans (October 1, 2008)
• Under Strain, Cities are Cutting Back Projects (September 30, 2008)
• House Rejects Bailout Plan; Stocks Tumble (September 30, 2008)
• Citigroup Acquires Wachovia Banking Units (September 30, 2008)
• USDA Announces $342 Million in Rural Broadband, Telecommunications Loans (September 26, 2008)
• Clock Ticking on P3 Deal for Pennsylvania Turnpike (September 26, 2008)
• PUC Introduces Rules to Update Regulations on Residential Utility Service Standards (September 25, 2008)
• PUC Finalizes Rules Governing Electric Company, Supplier Compliance with Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards Act (September 25, 2008)
• Congress Closes in on Approving Bailout Plan (September 23, 2008)
• Lehman Files Chapter 11; Liquidation Looms (September 16, 2008)
• Lehman Failure, Merrill Sale Stun Muni Market (September 16, 2008)
• PUC Tentatively Approved Pilot Program for Water Companies to Better Track and Reduce Levels of Unaccounted-for Water (September 16, 2008)
• House Panel Unveils Energy Tax Bill (September 16, 2008)
• FHWA Nixes Tolling for Pennsylvania’s I-80; Governor Looks to Turnpike (September 12, 2008)
• PUC Announces Special Public Hearing on Alternative Energy, Energy Conservation and Efficiency, Demand Side Response (September 12, 2008)
• PUC Initiates Action Plan to Increase Natural Gas Competition (September 11, 2008)
• PA Governor May Seek to Extend Electric Rate Caps (September 9, 2008)
• SEC to Propose New Disclosure Rules (September 9, 2008)
• Telecom Reporting Rule May Be Eased (September 5, 2008)
• Comcast Appeals FCC Network Management Order (September 5, 2008)
• PUC: Most Electric, Natural Gas Customers Satisfied with Utility Customer Service in 2007 (September 4, 2008)
• Comcast to Make Monthly Internet Use Cap Official (August 29, 2008)
• PUC Releases Agenda, Issues to be Addressed for Special Hearing on Energy Prices and the Need to ‘Prepare Now’ for Winter (August 28, 2008)
• Insurance Woes Persist (August 27, 2008)
• Wind Energy Bumps Into Power Grid’s Limits (August 26, 2008)
• Drilling Boom Revives Hopes for Natural Gas (August 24, 2008)
• IRS: Student Housing Not Tax-Exempt (August 22, 2008)
• Three More to Settle ARS Cases (August 22, 2008)
• PUC to Investigate Rate Increase Request by Equitable Gas Co. (August 21, 2008)
• PUC Approves Consumer-Education Plans for Duquesne Light Co. and FirstEnergy Companies (August 21, 2008)
• PUC Approves Agreement for UGI to Purchase PPL Gas (August 21, 2008)
• PUC To Hold Special Hearing on Energy Prices (August 20, 2008)
• Governor Rendell Nominates John Hanger for DEP Secretary; Appoints James Cawley PUC Chairman – Cawley to Seek Commission Support for Tyrone Christy as Vice Chair (August 19, 2008)
• Pennsylvania Turnpike Announces Possible P3 for Pittsburgh-Area Toll Roads (August 19, 2008)
• Electric Bills Might Soar Average 43% (August 19, 2008)
• SEC Announces Successor to EDGAR Database (August 19, 2008)
• Verizon FiOS: A Smart Bet or a Big Mistake? (August 18, 2008)
• Wachovia to Buy Back $8.8 Billion of ARS (August 18, 2008)
• Wachovia Agrees to Preliminary Auction Rate Securities Settlement That Would Offer Approximately $9 Billion to Investors (August 15, 2008)
• JPMorgan, Morgan Stanley Agree to Settle (August 15, 2008)
• PUC Releases Model Comparing Current Market Prices with Capped Electric Rates Paid Today Under Electric Competition Act (August 14, 2008)
• Bill Seeks Cuts in Energy Use (August 14, 2008)
• FCC Announces New Standards for Showings of Effective Competition for Cable Service (August 13, 2008)
• Citigroup, Merrill to Buy $20B in Bonds (August 9, 2008)
• PUC Prepares Model to Compare Current Market Prices with Capped Electric Rates Under Electric Competition Act (August 7, 2008)
• PUC Establishes Reporting Requirements to Measure State’s Retail Market for Electric Supply (August 7, 2008)
• Vonage Struggles to Attract New Customers (August 7, 2008)
• Bingaman Eyes Bond Reform (August 5, 2008)
• FCC Orders Comcast to Modify Network Management (August 4, 2008)
• PUC Commissioner Testifies on Federal Ruling on Transmission Corridors
  (August 4, 2008)
• Issuers:  Variable-Rate Liquidity Drying Up (August 1, 2008)
• PUC Releases Summer Edition of the ‘Keystone Connection’ Report (July 30, 2008)
• SEC, MSRB Propose “Giant Step Forward” For Municipal Bond Investors (July 30, 2008)
• Congress May Revamp Phone Fees that Subsidize Rural Service (July 29, 2008)
• Gas Rush Is On, and Louisianians Cash In (July 29, 2008)
• Merger and Acquisition Talk Surrounds Embarq (July 28, 2008)
• FERC Approves Allegheny Energy Power Line Request (July 24, 2008)
• Pennsylvania Commission Submits Revamped I-80 Proposal (July 23, 2008)
• Phone Giants Fight to Keep Subscribers (July 23, 2008)
• Pennsylvania Turnpike Issuing $235 Million for DOT Debt (July 22, 2008)
• Turning Down the Volume (July 21, 2008)
• Rural Operators Want Spectrum Cap (July 18, 2008)
• PUC Initiates Chapter 57 Rulemaking Proceeding Related to Maintaining Electric Reliability in PA (July 17, 2008)
• PUC Conducts Binding Poll on Allegheny Power Default Service Implementation Plan (July 17, 2008)
• PUC Approves Gaz de France and Suez (United Water Pennsylvania Inc. and United Water Bethel Inc.) Merger (July 17, 2008)
• PUC Conducts Binding Poll on Rate Increase Request for Aqua PA (July 17, 2008)
• PUC Approves Investigation into Herr Street Norfolk Southern Underpass Repairs (July 17, 2008)
• PUC Approves Consumer Education Plans for West Penn Power, Citizens’ Electric, Wellsboro Electric, and PPL Electric Companies (July 17, 2008)
• FCC Announces Public En Banc Hearing in Pittsburgh on Broadband and the Digital Future (July 16, 2008)
• Pennsylvania Turnpike Proposes $2.5B Capital Plan for I-80 (July 15, 2008)
• Estate Tax Takes Toll on Family Businesses (July 13, 2008)
• PUC Highlights 7-1-1 Service that Enables Pennsylvanians to Communicate by Phone with People who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, Speech Disabled (July 11, 2008)
• Casino Projects Affected by Stingy Credit Markets (July 10, 2008)
• Appeals Court Threatens to Strike Down FCC Phone Rules (July 9, 2008)
• PUC Releases Annual Report Highlighting Universal Service Programs Collections Performance (July 9, 2008)
• Additive Dispute Simmers (July 7, 2008)
• Acme Stirs Fears of VoIP Slowdown (July 7, 2008)
• Dominion Resources Selling 2 Gas Units for $910 Million (July 2, 2008)
• Broadband Internet?  No Thanks (July 2, 2008)
• Rendell: State Could Limit Electric Rates (July 3, 2008)
• Cumberland County, PA, GOs Raised to AAA by S&P (July 3, 2008)
• Penn National Gaming Ends Merger Agreement (July 3, 2008)
• Governor Rendell Welcomes Confirmation of Pennsylvania Public Utility Commissioners (June 30, 2008)
• FCC Announces Public En Banc Hearing in Pittsburgh on Broadband and the Digital Future (June 30, 2008)
• SEC Votes to Remove NRSRO from 38 Rules (June 26, 2008)
• T-Mobile Goes Nationwide with Landline Service (June 25, 2008)
• PUC Extends Fuel Surcharge for the Passenger Motor Carrier Industry (June 24, 2008)
• PUC Releases Audit Report on the Telecommunications Relay Service Program (June 24, 2008)
• Utilities Cut Off More Customers Who Are Behind on Their Bills (June 24, 2008)
• Former Customers Off Limits to Verizon (June 24, 2008)
• Moody’s Drops FGIC, XL Capital to Junk (June 23, 2008)
• Heating, Electricity Rates Rising as Prices for Natural Gas Surge (June 23, 2008)
• Rating Bill May Ease Strictures (June 19, 2008)
• FERC Examines Causes of, Responses to Rising Electricity Costs (June 19, 2008)
• PUC Chairman Holland Plans to Address Energy Prices and Aging Infrastructure on Joint Federal-State Smart Grid Collaborative (June 17, 2008)
• Building the 21st Century Central Office (June 16, 2008)
• Electric Utilities and Electric Grid Managers Highlight Reliability for Summer Months (June 12, 2008)
• SEC Proposes Comprehensive Reforms to Bring Increased Transparency to Credit Rating Process (June 11, 2008)
• FCC Delays Consideration of Free Internet Plan (June 6, 2008)
• Verizon in Talks to Buy Alltel (June 5, 2008)
• Electric Utilities and Electric Grid Managers to Highlight Electric Reliability (June 5, 2008)
• Experts Eye Prepaid Electricity Contracts (June 4, 2008)
• Mounting Costs Slow the Push for Clean Coal (May 30, 2008)
• PUC Calls PJM’s Reliability Pricing Model (RPM) Base Residual Auctions ‘Unjust and Unreasonable’ (June 2, 2008)
• Rating Reform Benefits Bond Market (June 1, 2008)
• PUC Releases Annual Report on Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards Act (May 29, 2008)
• FCC Issues Clarification on Contacts Between Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) Providers and TRS Consumers (May 28, 2008)
• FASB’s New Rules for Bond Insurers (May 28, 2008)
• PUC Finalizes Rulemaking Process to Revise Net Metering and Interconnection Regulations to Reflect Amendments to Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards (May 22, 2008)
• PUC Approves Final Rulemaking Adding Inspection, Maintenance, Repair, and Replacement Standards for Electric Distribution Companies to Chapter 57 (May 22, 2008)
• PUC Finalizes Rulemaking to Permit Electronic Filing (May 22, 2008)
• PUC Approves Reorganization of Equitable Resources Inc. (May 22, 2008)
• PUC Certifies Penn Power Competitive Bidding Process for Residential Rates as Transparent, Non-Discriminatory and Reflecting Market-Based Prices (May 21, 2008)
• Moody’s Drops CIFG to Junk (May 21, 2008)
• Rendell Announces Turnpike Bid Winners (May 20, 2008)
• Supreme Court Upholds Tax Exemptions for Municipal Bonds (May 20, 2008)
• Rural Operators Petition FCC to End Handset Exclusives (May 20, 2008)
• SEC Broadens Opportunities for Small Business Financing (May 15, 2008)
• Municipal Credit Risk and the Value of Bond Insurance (May 12, 2008)
• Bush Signs Student Loan Market Stabilization Plan (May 7, 2008)
• UBS to Close Down Its Municipal Bond Dept. (May 7, 2008)
• Interim Cap Clears Path for Comprehensive Reform (May 2, 2008)
• PUC Approves Final Rulemaking for the Public Utility Confidential Security Information Disclosure Act (May 1, 2008)
• PUC Approves Plan to Allow Citizens’ Electric Co. and Wellsboro Electric Co. to Begin Meeting Alternative Energy Requirements (May 1, 2008)
• PUC Approves $150,000 Settlement with National Fuel Gas Distribution Corp. (May 1, 2008)
• PUC Tentatively Approves Consumer Education Plans for Various Electric Companies (May 1, 2008)
• FCC Takes Action to Cap High Cost Support Under the Universal Service Fund (May 1, 2008)
• Hearings to Address TMI License (April 22, 2008)
• Vermont Telephone Company Seeks Declaratory Ruling Concerning VoIP Interconnection Rights (April 18, 2008)
• Supreme Court Steps Into Utilities Case (April 14, 2008)
• FCC Conditionally Designates Tracfone as an ETC for Lifeline Service in Several States (April 11, 2008)
• PUC Extends Fuel Surcharge for Tristate Household Goods Carriers (April 9, 2008)
• PUC Certifies Penn Power Competitive Bidding Process as Transparent, Non Discriminatory and Reflecting Market-Based Prices (April 4, 2008)
• PUC Unveils Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards Website (April 1, 2008)
• Sixteen State Regulators Join NARUC-FERC Smart Grid Collaborative (March 31, 2008)
• PUC Releases Winter/Spring Edition of the ‘Keystone Connection’ Report (March 26, 2008)
• FERC Adds Transparency, Clarity to Gas Company Financial Reporting Requirements (March 20, 2008)
• FCC Expands, Improves Broadband Data Collection (March 19, 2008)
• PUC Permits Public Input Hearing on PPL’s Rate Stabilization Plan (March 18, 2008)
• PUC Announces Supply Procurement Plan for Penn Power Residential Customers’ Default Service (March 13, 2008)
• Lawmakers Poised for Key Rulings on Power Prices (February 29, 2008)
• PUC Boosts Charges to Pittsburgh Transportation Group (February 29, 2008)
• Governor Rendell Says Pennsylvania’s Renewable Energy Leadership Will Take Center Stage at International Conference (February 29, 2008)
• PUC Approves Settlement for Pike County Power & Light to Begin Improvements (February 28, 2008)
• PUC Delays Vote on Chloramine Appeal (February 28, 2008)
• Fed Ready to Cut Interest Rates Again (February 27, 2008)
• Pennsylvania’s New Open-Records Law Praised (February 15, 2008)
• Federal, State Regulators Convene Collaborative Dialogue on ‘Smart Grid’ (February 14, 2008)
• Electricity Players Cooperate, but Brace for a Fight (February 13, 2008)
• SEC Proposes Plain English Narrative Disclosure By Investment Advisers to Investors (February 13, 2008)
• Tax Reform: Lots of Talk, No Action: No Votes in Sight for 3 Major Proposals (February 11, 2008)
• Congress Wants Do Not Call List Permanent (February 6, 2008)
• Federal Court Sought for Incinerator Lawsuit (February 3, 2008)
• FCC Provides Guidance on Filing of Annual Customer Proprietary Network Information (CPNI) Certifications (January 29, 2008)
• FCC Issues NPRM Seeking Comment on Rules Governing Amount of High-Cost Universal Service Support Provided to Competitive ETCs (January 29, 2008)
• FCC Issues NPRM Seeking Comment on Merits of Using Reverse Auctions to Determine Amount of High-Cost Universal Service Support Provided to ETCs Serving Rural, Insular, and High-Cost Areas (January 29, 2008)
• FCC Issues NPRM Seeking Comment on Recommendation of Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service Regarding Comprehensive Reform of High-Cost Universal Service Support (January 29, 2008)
• PUC Approves 911 Renewal Plan for Armstrong County (January 24, 2008)
• FERC Conditionally Approves Duquesne’s Exit from PJM Regional Group (January 17, 2008)
• PA State Board of Education Votes to Establish Statewide Graduation Requirements (January 17, 2008)
• NECA’s Proposed 2008 Modification of Average Schedule Formulas (January 15, 2008)
• Dominion, Equitable Terminate Agreement for Sale of Peoples, Hope Gas Utilities (January 15, 2008)
• PUC Approves Transfer of Stock for Trigen-Philadelphia Energy Corp. (January 10, 2008)
• Comment Sought on Tracfone Wireless, Inc.’s Petitions for Designation as an ETC in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (January 9, 2008)
• PA High Court Reverses Decision Blocking Verizon-MCI Merger (January 2, 2008)