Utility Officials To Study Changes In Their Industry

Utility officials from throughout the West will meet in Spokane from Tuesday through Thursday to discuss the the competitive and economic changes that are transforming their industry.

The meeting, organized by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, will draw public utility officials from eight Western states. Association General Manager Glenn English will discuss efforts to privatize federal power marketing administrations like the Bonneville Power Administration, and how public utilities can respond to a more competitive energy marketplace. Panelists and other speakers include executives from other public utilities.

The meetings will be held at the Sheraton Spokane Hotel. The first session …

Utility officials from throughout the West will meet in Spokane from Tuesday through Thursday to discuss the the competitive and economic changes that are transforming their industry.

The meeting, organized by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, will draw public utility officials from eight Western states. Association General Manager Glenn English will discuss efforts to privatize federal power marketing administrations like the Bonneville Power Administration, and how public utilities can respond to a more competitive energy marketplace. Panelists and other speakers include executives from other public utilities.

The meetings will be held at the Sheraton Spokane Hotel. The first session is Tuesday at 2 p.m. For more information, call 455-9600.

The Spokane event is one of a series of regional meetings sponsored by NRECA.

In other events this week:

Today

The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission holds a hearing on a proposed rate increase by US West. The company has asked for a hike to $26 from $10 for monthly residential service, but commission staff members said the request should be rejected. The hearing will be held in the Palouse Room in the Spokane Center, W334 Spokane Falls Blvd., starting at 6:30 p.m.

Tuesday

Management Excellence, a live, interactive seminar with experts beamed to Spokane via satellite telecast, begins at 9 a.m. at Cavanaugh’s River Inn with consultant Brian Joiner. Cost of the four-week series: $180; single events, $50. Call 353-5777.

A workshop on “Export Documentation and Processing International Orders” will be held in Room 325, Spokane Intercollegiate Research and Technology Institute. The presentation will be led by Sarah Gibson of George S. Bush and Co. of Portland, a leading freight forwarder in the region. The daylong meeting starts at 9 a.m. Cost: $125.

Shareholders of U.S. Bancorp and West One Bancorp will vote on a proposed merger.

Wednesday

An ISO 9000 seminar on “Internal Auditing” will be held at the Training and Education Coordinating Center, N3939 Freya. The program runs from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Cost: $150.

Thursday

Robert Parry, president of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, speaks at noon at the Spokane Convention Center. Presentations begin at 8:30 a.m. at a community conference on the regional economy. The conference is co-sponsored by the Spokane Area Chamber of Commerce and city of Spokane. Cost: $15 per person. Call 415-974-2300.

The Trade, Recreation and Agricultural Center (TRAC), an 89,000-square-foot exposition hall, opens in Pasco.

Washington Cattlemen’s Association annual convention opens at the Okanogan Fairgrounds.

Friday

Washington state Rep. Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville, speaks to the Spokane Ag Bureau at noon in the Stockyards Inn Restaurant, 3827 E. Boone. Call 459-4114.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Graphic: Sales tax receipts

MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: FAST FACTS

On the shelf

Forbes, Oct. 9: Manufacturers are searching for the best way to hire blue-collar workers who have the technology and probelm-solving skills necessary in today’s factories, says Forbes.

Good buys

The most affordable cities in which to buy a house, based on percentage of income needed to make payments. (Ranked by E&Y; Leventhal Real Estate Group) 1. Dallas-Fort Worth, 17.8 percent 2. Houston, 18.4 percent 3. Indianapolis, 19.6 percent 3. Kansas City, 19.6 percent 3. Oklahoma City, 19.6 percent 6. Richmond, Va., 19.8 percent 7. Louisville, Ky., 19.9 percent 8. Jacksonville, Fla., 20.3 percent

This sidebar appeared with the story: FAST FACTS

On the shelf

Forbes, Oct. 9: Manufacturers are searching for the best way to hire blue-collar workers who have the technology and probelm-solving skills necessary in today’s factories, says Forbes.

Good buys

The most affordable cities in which to buy a house, based on percentage of income needed to make payments. (Ranked by E&Y; Leventhal Real Estate Group) 1. Dallas-Fort Worth, 17.8 percent 2. Houston, 18.4 percent 3. Indianapolis, 19.6 percent 3. Kansas City, 19.6 percent 3. Oklahoma City, 19.6 percent 6. Richmond, Va., 19.8 percent 7. Louisville, Ky., 19.9 percent 8. Jacksonville, Fla., 20.3 percent