Most of the power reforms being discussed in Annapolis this year give the state a heavier hand in the market, but re-regulation is tough to define. The state has never been absolutely deregulated, per se, since the Public Service Commission has retained many oversight powers over electric supply in the state.
Some legislators want to tighten things up, though, as the General Assembly moves to increase state control over power pricing and other aspects of the market.
One bill before lawmakers would tell the PSC to stop encouraging retailers to compete in the market. Instead it would direct the regulatory panel to focus on “ensuring safe, reliable and affordable electricity for Maryland’s consumers and small businesses.”
The mission statement has been the source of some divides between the policy debate and PSC regulatory actions in recent months. For instance, a move last year by the PSC allowed independent suppliers to sell their accounts receivable to utilities. That move was touted by supply companies as a way to make the market friendlier. But consumer advocates panned it as running counter to the tenor of discussion in the state, which has trended toward increased regulatory control.
Check out my story on the issue from November.
What does re-regulation mean to you? And is it a good goal for Maryland?
