They will also handle billing accounting for others and plan to move toward the gas business, third party transactions, and energy services in the near future. Currently, they are focused on the southeast but have plans to expand to other regions. The data gathered will be discussed at the next meeting. Gary Jackson, TVA, spoke briefly about software that could support the VTF concept. Introductions of members and guests were made, and reports of any new organizational activities that have taken place since the last meeting in January were discussed.
Retail activities seem to be picking up all around the country.
Leslie James, Salt River Project, believes that retail will be a reality in her area by the end of the year, and Ed Tatum, Old Dominion Electric Cooperative, said that some of his retail customers in Maryland and Virginia are asking to deal with a single supplier. The committee has decided to survey the members of PPA to help determine the focus of this committee. You will hear more about this survey at the next meeting. HC was developed specifically for public power to serve the growing needs of the utilities and their customers as retail open access becomes more of a reality. In addition to a full range of services, HC can provide the results of a national survey of the needs of retail customers to better help public power jump-start their retail programs.