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Editor's note: Normally, we would never relinquish the privilege of choosing the Rogue of the Week to someone outside our newsroom, but how often does a high-profile business executive ask to appear in this space? We don't agree with Fred Miller's analysis of the deregulation bill he helped kill, but we do admire his willingness to take the blame (or credit) in such a public manner. So, here's our first--and probably last--self-nominated Rogue of the Week.
I was disappointed to see Ken Lay, CEO of Enron, chosen as Rogue of the Week in the June 11 edition. I question your selection criteria. We, of Portland General Electric, along with public power representatives, worked much harder than Enron to kill the deregulation bill. Our lobbyists spent a tremendous amount of time on the issue and I personally wrote letters to all 90 representatives urging them to defeat the bill. Enron wasn't really that active. Why couldn't we have been selected? Your readers might wonder why we would oppose a deregulation bill when we are working hard to move to a more competitive world. The answer is simple: We could not agree to give Bonneville Power Administration 100 percent recovery of the WPPSS nuclear plants and Eugene Water & Electric Board 100 percent recovery on their share of Trojan and not treat Portland General Electric shareholders similarly. We want to see more choices for customers and have already agreed to more than $200 million in rate reductions.Additionally, we have agreed to many of the provisions in the bill in the context of the Memorandum of Understanding as a part of the merger agreement. What we don't believe is that similar concessions by others should be financed by PGE's shareholders. Our adversaries in the process argue that Enron wants to write their own rules. I hope that most people recognize that the Oregon Public Utility Commission is a player in this process. I haven't noticed them rubber stamping utility requests lately. Back to the award; I am sure that we will have future opportunities...so long as there is a fair selection process. Fred D. Miller PGE Public Affairs and
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