Electrical Service May Be Opened Up

Following the spirit of 1996 legislation mandating the deregulation of private electric energy providers, publicly owned Anaheim Public Utilities is considering opening itself up to competition.

The move would break a long tradition in Anaheim, where customers have never had a choice about their electricity provider.

But, according to a presentation given last week for large businesses, the spirit of free choice will only go so far. Customers will have a choice about which company will supply their energy, but Anaheim Public Utilities will still deliver it.

Customers will save money only if they purchase energy from a company selling it at a cheaper price than the California Power Exchange, a free-market entity buying and selling daily, said Dale Tarkington, assistant general manager for Anaheim Public Utilities.

The electric energy proposal must be approved by the City Council before it goes into effect. Tarkington said the City Council will consider the issue in the next few months.

A meeting explaining the proposal will be held for small businesses from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Gordon Hoyt Conference Room, City Hall West, 210 Anaheim Blvd., and for residents from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Thursday at the Downtown Community Center, 250 E. Center St. Information: (714) 765-5159.

Judy Silber can be reached at (714) 966-5988