Beginning about 20 years ago various states began to slowly transition away from the traditional price-regulated monopoly utility construct and promote competition in the provision of electricity. In 18 states, the traditional utility company still owns the wires that deliver electricity to homes and businesses, but the electricity itself is provided by competing suppliers.

Retail Electric Choice: Proven, Growing, Sustainable, a report prepared for the COMPETE Coalition, documents and analyzes the transition toward a competitive electricity supply. The report can be downloaded via this post.