Utility Competition with Small Businesses: Recommendations for States on Utility Energy-Related Programs and the Commercial and Apartment Conservation Service Program (Second Edition)

摘要

The subject of utility entry into unregulated private markets is of growing concern to the small business community. Over the past few years there has been increasing interest by utilities to diversify into other markets, particularly in the areas of energy conservation and renewable energy. Such activity has frequently resulted in complaints of unfair competition from small business competitors. The most common form of unfair competition is the use of ratepayer funds to subsidize utility entry at lower prices into these unregulated markets. Other utility practices have also raised legitimated concerns.