3286

EXECUTIVE ORDERS

WHEREAS, On February 22, 1978, pursuant to the Governor's
Emergency Energy Powers, I ordered that certain energy
conservation measures be implemented in the Potomac
Edison Company Service Area; and

WHEREAS, These measures were made necessary by the strike
action of the United Mine Workers Union which, because
of its duration, has resulted in a drastic reduction of
the available supply of coal necessary to generate
electricity in those parts of the State; and

WHEREAS, On March 1, 1978, I amended my Executive Order to
defer the implementation of certain energy conservation
measures pending a vote upon a proposed contract
between the Mine Workers and the operators, which, if
ratified, would have eased the need for these stringent
electricity conservation measures; and

WHEREAS, The fact that the contract was not ratified again
places the citizens of Western Maryland in a perilous
condition requiring emergency action; and

WHEREAS, I am informed that Maryland's neighboring States
have acted today to implement similar conservation
measures in their jurisdictions;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BLAIR LEE III, ACTING GOVERNOR OF THE
STATE OF MARYLAND, BY VIRTUE OF THE AUTHORITY VESTED IN
ME BY ARTICLE II, SECTION 6 OF THE MARYLAND
CONSTITUTION AND BY ARTICLE 41, SECTION 15B OF THE
ANNOTATED CODE OF MARYLAND, AND BECAUSE I AM ADVISED
AND INFORMED THAT THE FOLLOWING IS REASONABLE AND
NECESSARY IN VIEW OF THE SITUATION OF EMERGENCY, DO
HEREBY PROCLAIM AND ISSUE THE FOLLOWING ORDER AMENDING
EXECUTIVE ORDER 01.01.1978.02, AS AMENDED BY EXECUTIVE
ORDER 01.01.1978.03, EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY:

1.    This Executive Order shall apply only
in those parts of the State of Maryland within
the Potomac Edison Company Service Area, as
defined by the Maryland Public Service
Commission, said area comprising all of Allegany,
Frederick, Garrett, and Washington Counties, and
portions of Carroll, Howard, and Montgomery
Counties.

2.     (a) If a continued downward trend
in the supply of coal, below the level of a
25—day supply, is anticipated by the Potomac
Edison Company, and if the Company certifies to
the Maryland Public Service Commission that such
a trend is anticipated, the Potomac Edison
Company shall: