Efforts to nurture competitive electricity markets in the US continue to be overshadowed by the controversy over deregulation. The removal of consumer rates freezes imposed a decade ago is exposing many customers to higher prices and igniting the debate.

While the picture differs from state-to-state due to an uneven patchwork of regulatory regimes, calls for re-regulation are increasing as more customers experience price increases – some as high as 70%. Market advocates claim these increases