B.E.L. threatens to take P.U.C. to court

There is no denying that the relationship between the P.U.C. and B.E.L. has been hitting some sour notes for months as the two continue to buck heads over rates. On Thursday another chapter was added to the back and forth when the Public Utilities Commission began running a TV ad in which it said that it would issue an order to B.E.L. on November seventh to get them to comply with the terms of their license. According to the P.U.C., the utility has been denying and frustrating request for services and enforcing new codes of installation. Today B.E.L. fired off a press release saying that it is “disappointed with the rash actions of the P.U.C.” and that it “categorically rejects the P.U.C.’s allegations that the company has contravened the conditions of its license. The statement goes on to say that the company is experiencing severe financial difficulties and has had to require customers to pay the full cost of service installation upfront with refunds to be provided as other customers connect to the line extension. B.E.L. says the law requires the P.U.C. to make decisions that balance the interest of both customers and the utility and they are deeply concerned that recent actions have not demonstrated that. It ends saying that it will seek to have the matter reviewed by the courts. Meanwhile, the Commission is asking interested and affected parties in the matter to submit comments by Friday and if necessary a public hearing will be held on November fourth.