In a surprise move, the nation's private and public electric utilities are making a pitch to move data across the information highway via their existing fiber-optic networks. These networks, which are for the most part in place today, link energy management programs and power grids. The Atlanta-based Southern Company (parent company of Mississippi Power) alone currently has 2000 miles of fiber-optic lines in place. Also pushing into telecommunications is Western Resources, parent to three electric utilities in Kansas and Oklahoma, whose chairman John Hayes, Jr., is the former chairman of Southwestern Bell. The Electric Power Research Institute, wrapping up a five-month study on the economic and technical feasibility of integrating utility and data networks, reports that fiber-optic utility networks will go 95 percent unused, thereby opening the door to other uses. But standing in the way are both federal laws and consumer group protests. However, Congress is considering legislation that would allow electric, gas, and water utilities to enter the telecommunications business.