Groups opposed to a bill that would ease state regs for construction of new power plants continue to lobby against the plan. A-A-R-P spokesman Bruce Koepple says the bill would let power companies get exorbitant profits.Eric Fisher of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers union says jobs would be lost as old plants are shut down in favor of new plants that let the utilities get unlimited profits.State Consumer Advocate Gary Stewart says utility companies would make a killing if the bill’s approved. He says there’s no question we need new power plants, but Stewart says the bill would allow utility companies to charge too much for power.Republican legislators want to pass the bill, but acknowledge chances are dim as it would take up too much debate time in this final week of the 2001 regular session.
