The State - News from Aug. 21, 1985

State public utility regulators are expected to rule today on how much of disputed construction costs for the $1-billion Helms Creek hydroelectric plant should be shouldered by utility stockholders and how much by rate payers. Helms Creek, a massive pumped-storage plant builty by Pacific Gas & Electric high in the Sierra east of Fresno, cost nearly $1 billion and resulted in the loss of 14 lives during a construction period plagued by accidents, inflation, reports of theft and drug use among construction workers and claims of flawed management decisions. The commission is expected to not only rule on rate issues affecting Helms Creek but also on natural gas price reductions. The impact of gas price reductions with the expected increase for Helms spread over four years is expected to result in an overall cut in utility rates of $200 million to $300 million, according to PG&E; spokesman Ron Rutkowski.