Competitive Electric Metering, Meter Reading, and Billing and Collections (June 2003, Report No. 03-L1)

The Arizona Corporation Commission adopted administrative rules and developed procedures that allowed the offering of competitive electric services, including electric metering, meter reading, and billing and collections. Under these rules, competitive electric services are linked. Specifically, except for consumers served by electric cooperatives, consumers cannot choose a competitive metering company or meter-reading company without also changing their electricity generation provider. Competition for electric generation and metering existed from December 1999 through March 2001, when multiple new companies were selling power in Arizona. However, economic conditions caused these new companies to leave the Arizona market and their absence effectively suspended competition for metering, meter reading, and billing and collections. During this time, consumer demand to switch electricity generation and metering service companies was also low.