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Retail ‘industrial choice’ debate resurfaces as utilities and co‑ops warn of cost shifts
Summary
Lawmakers debated whether large industrial customers should be allowed to buy electricity from outside incumbent providers, with cooperatives warning that retail choice could strand investments and shift costs to residential and small‑business customers.
A discussion about whether large industrial customers should be permitted to contract for power outside their incumbent provider resurfaced during the energy subcommittee hearing, with electric cooperatives and other local interests warning federal obligations and transmission structure mean wholesale retail “choice” risks shifting costs to captive residential and small‑business customers.
John Frick, representing the Electric Cooperative of South Carolina, told the subcommittee that co‑ops and other local utilities have invested to attract industrial load and that allowing those customers to take service from…
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