ABSTRACT
In a competitive environment, the traditional regulatory compact of an exclusive service territory in exchange for nondiscriminatory service to all customers upon demand must yield to a set of transactions that are subject to change, based on price, quality, service, attractiveness, or any combination of reasons. The telecommunications, transportation, and natural gas industries have undergone deregulation. Customers now have many choices, as do the suppliers who can tailor their strategies to meet their desired market. Competitive electricity markets are clearly in the early stages of development. It is likely that the economic deregulation or restructuring of the electric industry will continue.
