Lisa Murkowski: “Today we are on the verge of a revolution in the transmission and distribution of electricity that is fast bringing…”

“Today we are on the verge of a revolution in the transmission and distribution of electricity that is fast bringing about competition and deregulation at both the wholesale and retail level. Nowhere has the competitive model advanced further than in California, where full deregulation will become a reality at the beginning of 1998. As many as 13 States representing one-third of Americans have moved to competition in the electricity industry. Today, I am introducing legislation that I believe will enhance all States' ability to facilitate competition. This legislation arises from the Energy Committee's intensive review of the electric power industry and from the Joint Tax Committee's report that I requested. Over the past two Congresses, the Committee has held 14 hearings and workshops on competitive change in the electric power industry, receiving testimony from more than 130 witnesses. One of the workshops specifically focused on how public power utilities will participate in the competitive marketplace.”