Federal restructuring legislation: A recipe for successful action
Without a doubt, electric restructuring legislation will assume a prominent position during the 105th Congress. But whether this attention results in enactment of meaningful legislation or simply wheel-spinning exercises will depend on the substantive approach Congress seeks to take. There is both the political will and the substantive need to enact legislation: (1) The base of political support for retail competition has expanded well beyond a handful of large industrial consumers. Retail chains, small commercial establishments and residential consumer representatives in some states see the potential savings and benefits that can result from choosing power suppliers. (2) States are moving forward--with various degrees of seriousness--to test or implement retail competition. But the authority of the states is ambiguous, and a successful legal challenge could bring this progress to a halt. (3) While a `cookie-cutter` approach to retail wheeling may not be necessary, there are substantive and economic reasons to promote certain consistent (though not necessarily identical) policies and actions. (4) Congress cannot stand aside and passively watch the states (and the market) act. Certain actions are needed to promote effective retail competition that only Congress can take. Congress should send to the President a comprehensive restructuring package during the 105th Congress. If Congress fails to act, it will increase the political risks of any subsequent legislative effort to `get it right.` This article attempts to outline a legislative package that should gather sufficient support for enactment in the 105th Congress. The author asks the reader`s indulgence to remember the prime objective--passage of meaningful legislation that extends the option of choice to electricity customers. While the proposal below will fall short of the objectives of some, the author believes it embraces the most comprehensive approach to a package that is politically feasible.
- OSTI ID:
- 518438
- Journal Information:
- Electricity Journal, Journal Name: Electricity Journal Journal Issue: 2 Vol. 10; ISSN ELEJE4; ISSN 1040-6190
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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