Introduced in the 105th Congress
• H.R. 296, sponsored by John Shadegg (R-Ariz.). Would privatize the federal Power Marketing Administrations, splitting them into regional corporations to market and maintain generation and transmission services. Stock would be sold to recover outstanding federal debt; holding companies could invest in the corporations.
• H.R. 338, sponsored by Cliff Stearns (R-Fla.). Would repeal Section 210 of the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act (PURPA) of 1978, but would force utilities to honor QF contracts entered prior to Jan. 7, 1997.
• S. 237, sponsored by Dale Bumpers (D-Ark.). In a draft dated Jan. 16, this bill promised to mandate retail access by Jan. 1, 2003. The bill would repeal PURPA and PUHCA, and would leave responsibility to states to set stranded costs (states could order divestiture of generating assets), but the FERC would step in if a state didn't act. For multi-state holding companies, states could create regional regulatory boards to recover stranded costs, among other duties. The draft bill also requires retail electric suppliers to submit renewable-energy credits annually to the FERC and would set up a nationwide trading program for renewable credits. Within two years, the FERC would set up transmission regions and designate independent system operators, along with Regional Transmission Oversight Boards. The draft bill also promises that FERC shall prohibit utilities or affiliates from controlling market power. The Tennessee Valley Authority could enter the retail market outside the "fence," once it met the state provisions of the bill. PUHCA and PURPA would be repealed.
Introduced in the 104th Congress*