Lessons Learned from Electricity Restructuring: Transition to Competitive Markets Underway, but Full Benefits Will Take Time and Effort to Achieve

摘要

The electricity industry in the United States is undergoing major change, the outcomes of which will affect every consumer. The industry is restructuring from one where electricity prices are set by regulation to one in which competitive markets set the price. GAO was asked to report on the extent to which federal and state actions, to date, have achieved the goal of restructuring. GAO discusses lessons learned from efforts to date. To help Congress ensure that the fullest benefits are achieved from electricity restructuring, and to better understand what progress has been made, GAO recommends that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) (1) determine how restructured markets are performing across the country, and (2) report annually to Congress and the states on the status of these markets, including emerging issues and impediments to reaching its goal.