THEIR RESPECTIVE DISTRIBUTION TERRITORIES, AND MAY CEASE OFFERING THAT
SERVICE AFTER NOTIFYING THE COMMISSION AT LEAST 12 MONTHS IN ADVANCE;
AND

(II) 1. IF THE COMMISSION FINDS THAT THE ELECTRICITY
SUPPLY MARKET IS NOT COMPETITIVE OR THAT NO ACCEPTABLE COMPETITIVE
PROPOSAL HAS BEEN RECEIVED TO SUPPLY ELECTRICITY TO THOSE CUSTOMERS
DESCRIBED UNDER PARAGRAPH (2) OF THIS SUBSECTION, THE COMMISSION SHALL
EXTEND THE OBLIGATION TO PROVIDE STANDARD OFFER SERVICE TO RESIDENTIAL
AND SMALL COMMERCIAL CUSTOMERS AT A MARKET PRICE THAT PERMITS
RECOVERY OF THE VERIFIABLE, PRUDENTLY INCURRED COSTS TO PROCURE OR
PRODUCE THE ELECTRICITY PLUS A REASONABLE RETURN

2. THE COMMISSION SHALL REEXAMINE THE FINDING
MADE UNDER THIS SUBPARAGRAPH AT LEAST ANNUALLY.

(4) ON OR BEFORE JULY 1, 2001, THE COMMISSION SHALL ADOPT
REGULATIONS OR ISSUE ORDERS TO ESTABLISH PROCEDURES FOR THE
COMPETITIVE SELECTION OF ELECTRICITY SUPPLIERS, INCLUDING AN AFFILIATE
OF AN ELECTRIC COMPANY, TO PROVIDE STANDARD OFFER SERVICE TO CUSTOMERS
OF ELECTRIC COMPANIES UNDER PARAGRAPH (2) OF THIS SUBSECTION, EXCEPT FOR
CUSTOMERS OF ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES AND MUNICIPAL ELECTRIC UTILITIES.
UNLESS DELAYED BY THE COMMISSION, THE COMPETITIVE SELECTION SHALL TAKE
EFFECT NO LATER THAN JULY 1, 2003.

(5) AN ELECTRIC COMPANY MAY PROCURE THE ELECTRICITY NEEDED
TO MEET ITS STANDARD OFFER SERVICE ELECTRICITY SUPPLY OBLIGATION FROM
ANY ELECTRICITY SUPPLIER INCLUDING AN AFFILIATE OF THE ELECTRIC COMPANY.

(D) NOTWITHSTANDING THE DATES SET FORTH IN THIS SECTION OR ANY
OTHER LAW, CUSTOMER CHOICE MAY NOT COMMENCE UNTIL LEGISLATION IS
ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO RESTRUCTURE MARYLAND TAXES TO
ADDRESS THE STATE AND LOCAL TAX IMPLICATIONS OF RESTRUCTURING THE
ELECTRIC UTILITY INDUSTRY.

(E) THE COMMISSION SHALL, BY REGULATION OR ORDER ADOPT
PROCEDURES TO IMPLEMENT THIS SECTION, INCLUDING THE ALLOCATION OF ANY
UNUSED OPPORTUNITY FOR CUSTOMER CHOICE AMONG CUSTOMER CLASSES.

(F) A COUNTY OR MUNICIPAL CORPORATION MAY NOT ACT AS AN
AGGREGATOR UNLESS THE COMMISSION DETERMINES THERE IS NOT SUFFICIENT
COMPETITION WITHIN THE BOUNDARIES OF THE COUNTY OR MUNICIPAL
CORPORATION.

7-511.

(A) EXCEPT FOR ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES AND MUNICIPAL ELECTRIC
UTILITIES:

(1) COMPETITIVE BILLING SHALL BEGIN ON JULY 1, 2000;