UTILITIES

Legislation to Restructure Electric Industry Unveiled: Congress gave its first indication that it plans to play a major role in electric utilities’ shift from an industry dominated by monopolies toward more open competition. Rep. Dan Schaefer (R-Colo.) unveiled legislation restructuring the industry, calling for consumers to be given the right to buy electricity at the lowest cost available. The bill calls on states to implement “consumer choice” programs that would allow people to shop around for electricity but would impose such a plan if a state does not act. State regulators want the retail competition issue to be left to the states, and some utilities believe Schaefer’s proposal moves too fast in imposing retail competition. Currently, more than 40 states are at various stages of examining ways to enhance competition in the marketing of electricity.