Westinghouse gear blamed for 4 utility rate hikes

Four utilities cite their expenses incurred in repairing Westinghouse nuclear equipment for the need to raise their rates. Florida Power and Light Co., Wisconsin Electric Power Co., Virginia Electric Power Co., and Consolidated Edison have filed for increases ranging up to nearly 10%. Westinghouse claims the utilities probably caused the corrosion problems by using impure water in the steam generators. When the Florida utility lost its suit to recover damages from Westinghouse on the cost of replacement power, it filed to recover them through a rate increase. The Wisconsin and Virginia utilities settled out of court at a lower level, while Consolidated Edison has covered repair costs from normal fuel-adjustment charges