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NEWS |
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SENIOR POLICY ANALYST, CONSUMERS UNION
SOUTHWEST REGIONAL OFFICE
REGARDING REP. WOLENS' ELECTRIC COMPETITION BILL
December 3, 1998
"Rep. Wolens' bill is the opening of what will surely be a lengthy and complex debate. Since we haven't had an opportunity to study the bill in any detail yet, our comments must be general in nature.
"The important thing to remember is that Texans today enjoy reliable electric power at low rates and -- under status quo regulation -- rates will decline as nuclear power plants are paid off. Any bill that restructures the electric market in Texas has to improve upon the status quo, or there's no reason for change.
"This is the first major bill we've seen that doesn't give utilities 110 percent of what they ask for. For example, we're pleased to see that the bill tackles some tough, controversial issues such as curbing the utilities' ability to abuse their natural advantages in the market.
"But as they say, this is a complex issue and the devil can always hide in the details and we have not seen the bill's language.
"However, Rep Wolens' bill clearly indicates that the residential consumers' perspective will be included in restructuring, rather than a repeat of last session where big industry negotiated a sweetheart deal for themselves and expected Texas families and small businesses to sign a blank check to pay for it.
"Consumers Union will only support a bill that maintains our current electric system reliability, lowers or maintains our current rates, protects consumers from market place abuses and does not backpedal on the environment."
For more information, please contact Janee Briesemeister or Rafael Ayuso at (512) 477-4431.
