Under a measure passed by the Legislature earlier this year, a 30-member panel will study whether competition is in the best interests of electricity consumers and the state. The final report is to be released no later than Nov. 1, 1999. The rest of the state's customers will be able to choose as of July 1, 2000. The issue of stranded costs hasn't yet been resolved. No action is expected before the next legislative session, which starts Jan. 1, 1999.
Opponents appear likely to keep the upper hand.
The Public Service Commission released its blueprint for studying retail competition earlier this year and forwarded it to the Legislature. Lawmakers haven't yet acted on it, but the commission plans to continue working on major issues, including reliability of service and stranded costs. In response to a request from the Legislature, which wants competition to start in December, the Public Utility Commission is drafting a restructuring plan and formally investigating the issues surrounding retail electric competition. Washington Water Power and Idaho Power have offered choice pilot programs for their retail customers in Idaho, but overall interest in such programs statewide is limited. The law also allows utilities to recover stranded costs.