AIM Foundation gives Massachusetts electric restructuring positive report. (News).(Associated Industries of Massachusetts)

BOSTON, MA-A status report on the progress of electricity restructuring in Massachusetts gives positive marks for the plan's progress but says a need for more com petition. still exists in some sectors of the marketplace.

The report, issued by the Associated Industries of Massachusetts. (AIM) Foundation, comes as the state legislation moves beyond the halfway point of the transition period-measured, from March 1998 when the law became effective.

While a competitive retail market for medium and large commercial and industrial users is emerging, a robust market for residential consumers and small businesses remains elusive, the report says. As of June 2002, 62% of the state's commercial and industrial customer load was supplied by competitive suppliers, providing savings and often fixed costs benefits to the 7300 customers in that sector.

However, only about 3% of all residential and small business electric customers were buying power from competitive suppliers, says the Boston' Globe. These customers, whose access to utility-provided "standard offer" electric supply will expire by 2005, will then be exposed them to more volatile ...