SENATOR KELLY announced SB 163 POWER COST EQUALIZATION to be up for consideration. SENATOR PEARCE said that approximately $600,000 more would be needed in the fiscal year '94 budget for power cost equalization. SENATOR RIEGER asked why federal facilities are exempted from the PCE. SENATOR PEARCE replied that at the moment federal facilities receive PCE. Now federal and state facilities with the exception of public schools will not get subsidized power. Number 132 DAVE HUTCHINS, Executive Director, Alaska Rural Electric Coop Association, said many of their members are participants in the PCE program and they do not oppose SB 163. They think the change is appropriate as a defensive measure for the program. MR. HUTCHINS remarked on page 2, line 9 the phrase, "considering the rate of fuel cost and power demand" is nonsensical and needs to be rationalized. SENATOR PEARCE said this was the first time she has heard that issue mentioned and she thought it could be dealt with in Finance Committee. Number 176 SENATOR SHARP asked if there were guidelines somewhere in statute about adjusting individual utilities. MR. HUTCHINS answered yes. SENATOR SHARP moved to pass SB 163 and fiscal note from committee with individual recommendations. There were no objections and it was so ordered.