41.   Hub skeptics cite high taxes, high electricity rates and other problems.

42.   In January the government reversed its position after Enron cut its electricity rates.

43.   In Japan, too, research on the relationship between electricity rates and conservation behavior is making progress.

44.   In part, the legislation set retail electricity rates artificially high so that utilities could recover investments in certain properties, such as aging energy plants.

45.   In return for their investment and a promise to freeze electricity rates for customers, the utilities would be allowed to accelerate the depreciation of their costs.

46.   Industrial customers in the area currently pay electricity rates that are much higher than in other parts of the country.

47.   Indeed, more consumers are considering fuel cells because of the threat of higher electricity rates and public funding being offered by the state for self-generation projects.

48.   Inflation accelerated after state-set telephone and electricity rates rose in April.

49.   It said that the move, to be carried out through a reverse auction, was intended to reduce electricity rates for customers.

50.   It has also made a bid to win back public support by paying overdue stipends to students and pensioners and cutting consumer electricity rates.