Retail competition, restructuring, deregulation, re-regulation, retail access, direct
access and retail wheeling all refer to the same thing :
- utilities losing their monopoly service areas, allowing customers to
choose their electricity suppliers.
If the wrong policies are set, there are pitfalls for the consumer and the
environment whether we have competition or if the industry remains regulated. Texas
Ratepayer's Organization to save Energy (Texas ROSE) is helping to see that consumers and
the environment are protected regardless of who profits from electricity sales. Texas ROSE
has been in the thick of the debates, filing comments at the PUC (Public Utility
Commission) and attending meetings and legislative hearings to establish long-term
protections for consumers and the environment.
Texas ROSE and ten other public interest groups have presented and signed a
Residential Electric Consumer Bill of Rights. The rights apply without exception to
customers of a monopoly utility,customers being served by a utility making a transition
from monopoly status to a competitive market and customers served by a fully competitive
utility. |
|
The Residential Electric Consumer Bill of Rights
requests that the PUC guarantee:
- Residential customers will benefit from the same opportunities to reduce their rates and
bills and to choose suppliers and service options as are available to large customers
- Universal service, meaning an affordable, basic package of service is available to all
residential customers regardless of income or residence in rural areas
- Lifeline rates for low income customers
- All providers have a duty to serve all customers and must meet Public Utility
Commission-approved standards
- Billing and service protections will be equal to those in effect today and protections
will increase as necessary as the number of suppliers increases
- Business transactions will be regulated to prevent anti-competitive behavior (such as
favoritism, self-dealing, and cross subsidization among affiliates) and anti-competitive
domination in any geographic area or service market served by a limited number of
competitors
- Reliable and safe electric service for all consumers, and improved reliability in areas
where it is needed
- Continued availability of cost effective energy efficiency programs
- A balanced mix of energy resources, including renewable energy and energy conservation
programs
- A market which reduces inefficiencies and lowers prices for all customer classes, thus
creating opportunities for economic development
- Continued regulation of franchised utilities until a fully competitive market is in
operation
- Utilities are not guaranteed the right to recover all of their excess costs over market
(stranded investment). As soon as possible, costs resulting from inefficient and/or
obsolete operations should be eliminated from all customer bills
Contact us to add your name to the list of
supporters of the
Residential Consumer's Bill of Rights
|
Texas Ratepayers' Organization to Save Energy
Carol Biedrzycki, Executive Director
815 Brazos Street, Suite 1100
Austin, Texas 78701-2509
512-472-5233
Send email to sharrush@mail.utexas.edu |
Back to Texas ROSE home page
last updated September 12, 1998
http://www.main.org/texasrose/rights.html