Moniker change to Reliant Energy ends an era for Houston Industries.

Houston lost another landmark company name this week. But it wasn't because of merger or buyout. Houston Industries Inc., which owns utility Houston Lighting & Power, has changed its name to Reliant Energy.

The name change marks the conclusion of a period during which one of Houston's largest companies bore the city's name. And the altered moniker marks what may turn out to be the end of the Light Company's sole domination of the local electricity market. As deregulation of the electricity industry progresses state by state, consumers will eventually be able to choose their electric provider. Consumer choice would end the 100-year-plus monopoly that HL&P had in the …