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| MEMBER INFORMATION & CUSTOMER CHOICE |
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Customer Choice
The Maryland Electric Customer Choice and Competition Act of 1999
gave consumers the opportunity to shop for the best deal on
electric generation. Consumers may choose the company that
supplies the power to their home and business, if there is a
company which provides this in their area. The system used to
deliver the power will remain the same and will remain regulated
by state and federal authorities. At present, there are no
companies actively seeking new residential customers in Choptank's
territory.
What are some important provisions of the Act?
- A licensing process for new electricity
providers gives the Public Service Commission the authority to
suspend or revoke an electricity provider license and/or
impose a fine if a provider violates consumer protection
provisions.
- Changing a customer's electricity supplier without
their specific written permission is illegal.
- Investor Owned Utilities must participate in
competitive billing; Electric co-ops retain metering and billing
because members own these functions.
- Energy charges are "unbundled" or split into
charges for transmission and distribution, universal service,
customer education, conservation tax and energy, on the electric
bill.
- A statewide Universal Service Fund for low-income
assistance for customers at or below 50 percent of the
federal poverty level was established.
- Customers who do not want to switch electric
suppliers receive Standard Offer Service. Co-ops and
municipal
utilities will remain Standard Offer Suppliers until they
decide otherwise. This protects co-op members' right
to "choose not to choose."
- Reliability is guaranteed by continuing the regulation of
the transmission and delivery systems. Your current company
will continue to deliver electricity over its power lines,
maintain the delivery system and answer customer inquiries.
Where can I get more information?
Go to the Maryland Public Service Commission's web site at
webapp.psc.state.md.us/Intranet
Go to
Maryland Office of the People's Counsel for information for
residential consumers on shopping for electricity supply and standard
offer service.
Choptank Electric Cooperative, Inc., P.O. Box 430, Denton MD 21629
Toll Free: 877-892-0001
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