The State - News from Dec. 15, 1985

The initial rate increase for the Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant should be $53.8 million, or 37 cents a month for the average Pacific Gas & Electric Co. customer, a state hearing officer said. Administrative Law Judge Albert Porter proposed about 25% of the initial rate increase sought by PG&E; for the long-delayed plant, but he was more generous than consumer groups or the state Public Utilities Commission consumer staff, who have argued for either a rate freeze or a decrease. The decision, if approved by the commission, will take effect Jan. 1. It will be the first of several rulings in the next year to 18 months about how much of the $5.6 billion cost of Diablo Canyon will be paid by PG&E;’s 3.6 million customers.