Electricity is vital to our daily lives and our national economy. The United States electricity industry is in the midst of major change, and the results of this change will affect all consumers. Historically, utility monopolies have generated electricity and sold it to consumers at prices set by state regulators. Now, in as many as 24 states, numerous private companies compete to sell electricity at either the wholesale or retail level at prices determined by the market forces of demand and supply. This change, commonly referred to as restructuring, is being driven by federal legislation and regulatory rules as well as by state actions. Restructuring is intended to improve efficiency in the industry and ultimately lower consumer prices.
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