The PUC can now move ahead with the plans for conjunctive billing service. The 2-year pilot program would allow ratepayers to band together for collective billing under rates designed for the group. Portland General Electric's pilot program involving four Oregon cities will end as the two participating energy companies, Enron and Electric Lite, both discontinued marketing to consumers. Additionally, all of their large customers in Klamath County would be allowed retail access. Pilot programs are fully subscribed with more than 72,000 participants, making it the largest pilot program nationally.
Pilot programs complete lotteries to select final pilot participants.
The first portion of the State's customers, chosen earlier, are actively participating in retail access pilot programs since November 1997. The Texas retail pilot program has 12,723 residential participants in the TXU service territory, but can admit as many as 113,295 customers. The PUC is overseeing the pilot program set to begin retail competition by June 1, 2001. The pilot program will be open to customers in the State's IOU service territories. Retail electric providers must register with the PUC, and affiliate companies may not operate in the incumbent utility's territory.