Electricity Forum News: Arem Says Sweet Bailout Deal For Edison Eliminates Competitors, Rebuilds Monopoly And Keeps Consumers HostageEnergy Service Providers Vehemently Oppose Abx2 82

-- The Alliance for Retail Energy Markets (AReM) has announced its strong opposition to ABX2 82, the state Assembly Democrats' most recent alternative to the Southern California Edison MOU.

As drafted, this new legislation seeks to immediately close the door on direct access and prevent the restoration of retail choice until at least 2003. This will effectively remove the ability of customers to take control of their own energy supply needs, thereby rendering them hostage to the utilities.

"This bill is about putting Edison back on its feet and putting Edison's competitors out of business," said Rick Counihan of Green Mountain Energy Company. "Customers' right to choose the best energy option to meet their needs, and the needs of the environment, is being trampled in the name of restoring a monopoly."

Furthermore, ABX2 82 raises questions about the status of existing contracts and current customers who may be forced, under the provisions of this bill, to return to extremely high priced power under the utilities.

"In many ways this bill is worse than AB X1 because it threatens to nullify extension contracts for current direct access customers," said Aaron Thomas with AES NewEnergy. "This would force customers to return to utility service which would require the state to buy even more power than it has already."

AReM stressed that it is long overdue for policy makers to promote an equitable and workable retail energy market. The legislature must immediately amend this legislation and replace it with a policy that is not created at the expense of large and small retail customers.

"Legislators have argued that it is important for California to take control of its energy destiny," said Andrea Weller of Strategic Energy. "Too bad they are not willing to let Californians take control of their energy destinies."

Alliance for Retail Energy Markets (AReM) is a coalition whose member companies serve nearly all of the California customers who have chosen a competitive energy provider instead of their traditional utility provider. AReM members include AES NewEnergy, Inc., Calpine, Commonwealth Energy Corp., Enron Energy Services, Inc., GreenMountain Energy Company, The New Power Company, New West Energy, Shell Energy Services, and Strategic Energy, L.L.C.