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Committee debates bill letting utilities form separate merchant affiliates; concerns about ring‑fencing persist
Summary
HB 911 would let public utilities create legally separate merchant entities to sell power to large industrial customers, with statutory ring‑fencing provisions. Proponents argued it unlocks investment; opponents warned the safeguards and timing are insufficient.
Representative John Fitzpatrick told the committee HB 911 would permit a public utility to establish a legally separate, nonregulated company to sell electricity to large industrial customers while imposing a statutory “ring fence” to prevent commingling of finances.
Supporters said the measure would allow utilities to pursue merchant activity and attract generation investment without exposing regulated customers to merchant risk. Representative Fitzpatrick and witnesses argued federal law and the bill’s ring‑fence language will prevent utility assets from being…
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