Large retailers urge Bush to support electricity competition

Large retailers urge Bush to support electricity competition

Washington (Platts)--16May2005


A group of large retail chains Monday urged President Bush to promote the
development of competitive electricity markets throughout the US. In a letter,
the retailers said their experience with competitive markets in the country
has been positive and has saved their customers money. "Our companies'
experiences reflect that well-designed, competitive electricity markets allow
our businesses to recognize substantial savings on electricity costs, which
can, in turn, be passed on to customers through lower-cost consumer goods and
services," the stores said. "Fostering legislative and regulatory policies
which allow commercial electricity users to manage their energy purchases is
critical to achieving such savings." 

Stores signing the letter include 7-Eleven, A&P, Best Buy, Wal-Mart,
RadioShack, JCPenny and Big Lots Stores. The letter is being distributed by
the Compete Coalition, a pro-competitive lobbying group created by merger
partners Exelon and PSEG, as well as Reliant Energy, Mirant, Constellation
Energy and Sempra Energy.

Although the letter is short on specifics, it is noteworthy, a Compete
official said, because it marks the first time these stores have come together
nationally in support of electricity competition. "These guys are all finding
enormous benefits on the retail [competition] front," said Joel Malina, an
executive with Wexlar & Walker who is heading up Compete.

This story was originally published in Platts Electricity Alert
http://www.electricityalert.platts.com

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