130th Ohio General Assembly
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As Introduced

123rd General Assembly
Regular Session
1999-2000
S. B. No. 3

SENATORS JOHNSON-FINAN-BLESSING-HERINGTON


A BILL
To enact section 4928.01 of the Revised Code to declare that the public policy of the State of Ohio is to effect the restructuring of the electric industry pursuant to specified goals permitting effective competition in the provision of retail electric service to all Ohio consumers.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF OHIO:


Section 1. That section 4928.01 of the Revised Code be enacted to read as follows:

Sec. 4928.01. THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY FINDS THAT COMPETITIVE MARKETS ARE SUPERIOR TO REGULATED MARKETS FOR DISPENSING GOODS AND SERVICES, FOSTERING COMPETITIVE INNOVATION, AND PROMOTING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. THEREFORE, IT IS THE PUBLIC POLICY OF THIS STATE TO EFFECT THE RESTRUCTURING OF ITS ELECTRIC INDUSTRY, BY ESTABLISHING A MARKET STRUCTURE AND REGULATORY FRAMEWORK, AS DETERMINED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, THAT PERMITS EFFECTIVE COMPETITION IN THE PROVISION OF RETAIL ELECTRIC SERVICE TO ALL CONSUMERS IN THIS STATE BEGINNING ON SUCH DATE AS IS SPECIFIED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY. THE MARKET STRUCTURE AND REGULATORY FRAMEWORK SHALL ACHIEVE ALL OF THE FOLLOWING GOALS:

(A) THE BROADEST POSSIBLE ARRAY OF CUSTOMER CHOICE REGARDING THOSE ASPECTS OF RETAIL ELECTRIC SERVICE FOR WHICH COMPETITIVE OFFERING IS APPROPRIATE;

(B) EQUITABLE DISTRIBUTION AMONG ALL ELECTRIC CONSUMERS OF THE BENEFITS OF EFFECTIVE COMPETITION, AND MECHANISMS TO ENSURE THAT LOW-USE CONSUMERS ARE NOT DISADVANTAGED BY A LACK OF BARGAINING POWER;

(C) COMPARABLE AND NONDISCRIMINATORY ACCESS TO ALL SERVICES BY ELECTRIC CONSUMERS AND SUPPLIERS;

(D) A SHIFT FROM TRADITIONAL REGULATION TO SAFEGUARDING AGAINST POTENTIAL MARKET POWER ABUSES, AND FROM PROTECTION OF CAPTIVE ELECTRIC CONSUMERS TO THE PROMOTION OF EFFECTIVE COMPETITIVE CHOICE FOR ALL CONSUMERS;

(E) ASSURANCE OF UNIVERSAL SERVICE AND THE RELIABILITY OF ELECTRIC SERVICE, AND THE PRESERVATION AND IMPROVEMENT OF THE QUALITY AND SAFETY OF ELECTRIC SERVICE;

(F) FULL MAINTENANCE OF THE FIVE CURRENT LOW-INCOME ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS FOR ELECTRIC CONSUMERS DURING AND AFTER THE TRANSITION TO A COMPETITIVE ELECTRIC MARKET, AND COORDINATION AND CONSOLIDATION OF THE PROGRAMS TO IMPROVE DELIVERY TO CONSUMERS;

(G) FULFILLMENT OF THIS STATE'S RESPONSIBILITIES TO ACHIEVE APPROPRIATE ENERGY CONSERVATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION;

(H) A TRANSITION THAT PROVIDES FOR THE PROTECTION OF CONSUMERS AND ASSURANCE OF THE RELIABILITY OF THE DELIVERY OF ELECTRIC SERVICES;

(I) ALLOWANCE OF TRANSITION COSTS THAT ARE REASONABLE AND FAIR FOR ALL STAKEHOLDERS AND THAT ARE ESTABLISHED ON A RATIONAL BASIS;

(J) AN AMPLE TRANSITION TO A NEW STATE TAX STRUCTURE THAT PROTECTS SCHOOL AND LOCAL FUNDING NEEDS AND THAT IS REVENUE NEUTRAL, WITH NO OVERALL NET TAX INCREASE TO ENERGY CONSUMERS OR TAX WINDFALL TO THOSE CURRENTLY RECEIVING TAX REVENUES.

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