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<title>Deregulation and its Impact on Taxation of Electric Services</title>
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<p ALIGN="left"><font face="Arial"><b><strong><big><big><big>DEREGULATION
AND ITS IMPACT ON TAXATION OF ELECTRIC SERVICES<br>
</big></big></big><font size="2"><br>
By Cynthia Woo<br>
</font></strong></b></font><font face="Arial" size="2">Senior Tax Council<br>
TAXWARE International Inc.
</font></p>
<p><font size="2">(<em>originally published by PMA OnLine Magazine: 00/10</em>)</font></p>
<p><span style="font-size:12.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">This is a dynamic time for the electric industry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</span>As of August 1, 2000, 24 states have enacted restructuring
legislation. The majority of the remaining states either have regulatory
orders issued, pending or are involved in on-going analysis of
restructuring.<a style="mso-endnote-id:edn1" href="#_edn1" name="_ednref1" title><span style="mso-special-character:footnote" class="MsoEndnoteReference">[i]</span></a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</span>Deregulation of the industry is requiring states to review and
revise tax laws to address unbundled charges and other costs due to
restructuring.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>As a result,
state tax laws are constantly changing.<span style="mso-spacerun:
yes"> </span>This presents a challenge for existing utility companies and
new market entrants, such as marketers, brokers, and independent power
producers, who must collect and remit various fees and state taxes on
charges for electricity and electric services.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</span>Below is a survey of tax law changes in various states across the
country. <o:p>
</o:p>
<o:p>
</o:p>
</span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyTextIndent">Historically, the electric industry was a
monopoly regulated by the Federal Energy Regulation Commission (FERC) and
state utility regulatory commissions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</span>The impetus for deregulation occurred at a time when residential
prices for electricity began to rise in the mid 1970�s due to the oil
embargo and Iranian crisis.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>In
1978, Congress enacted the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act (PURPA).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</span>PURPA required utility companies to purchase excess power from
qualifying facilities (QFs) and offer stand by and maintenance services.<span style="mso-spacerun:
yes"> </span>A QF is a non-utility that produces energy from renewable
sources, such as hydro, geothermal, solar and wind.<span style="mso-spacerun:
yes"> </span>The Energy Policy Act (EPAct) of 1992 created a new type of
wholesale generator called Exempt Wholesale Generators (EWGs) which are
exempt from the Public Utilities Holding Company Act of 1938.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</span>Moreover, the EPAct gave the FERC authority to open up the
transmission lines making it possible for QFs, EWGs and other
non-traditional utility companies to sell power directly to consumers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyTextIndent">Prior to deregulation, the same electric
utility company would provide both the electricity and electric services
to consumers who would receive one bill containing all the charges.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</span>Consumers had no choice regarding from which utility company they
purchased electricity and electric services.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</span>This scenario has changed due to deregulation and restructuring of
the electric industry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>As a
result, energy prices are more competitive and services have improved as
consumers now have a choice from which utility company they purchase
electricity.</p>
<p class="MsoBodyTextIndent"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Another result of deregulation is that charges on
consumers� bills will now be unbundled. Unbundling refers to the
disaggregation of electric utility services into individual components
with separate rates.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Consumers
will see itemized charges on their bills for generation, transmission,
distribution, ancillary services and restructuring related costs.<a style="mso-endnote-id:edn2" href="#_edn2" name="_ednref2" title><span style="mso-special-character:footnote" class="MsoEndnoteReference">[ii]</span></a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</span>For example, adoption of restructuring legislation in Massachusetts
offered consumers a choice in purchasing electricity and electric
services, but also changed the way consumers were billed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</span>Instead of one bundled charge, there are seven unbundled charges on
the bill.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>These charges
include a Generation Charge, Transmission Charge, Distribution Charge,
Transition Charge, Customer Charge, Renewable Resources Charge, and Energy
Efficiency Charge.<a style="mso-endnote-id:edn3" href="#_edn3" name="_ednref3" title><span style="mso-special-character:footnote" class="MsoEndnoteReference">[iii]</span></a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</span><o:p>
</o:p>
<o:p>
</o:p>
</span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyTextIndent"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">The changes in the way electric services are billed
have required States that tax the sale of electricity and electric
services to re-examine their tax laws and determine the taxability of the
unbundled charges.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Numerous
states have issued explainations and amended tax laws in varying degrees
to ensure that unbundled charges are taxed appropriately.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</span>For example, New York�s Public Service Commission has opened up
the electric industry and is phasing in deregulation on a
utility-by-utility basis.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>In
preparation of full retail competition, the Department of Taxation and
Finance has issued numerous memoranda stating that charges for the service
of providing electricity to a customer are subject to state and local
sales tax and that the service will fall under the statutory reference to
electric service of "whatever nature".</span><a style="mso-endnote-id:edn4" href="#_edn4" name="_ednref4" title><span style="mso-special-character:footnote" class="MsoEndnoteReference">[iv]</span></a><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><span style="mso-spacerun:
yes"> </span><o:p>
</o:p>
</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p>
</o:p>
</span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyTextIndent"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Some states required relatively minor adjustments in
their tax laws to address the unbundled charges.<span style="mso-spacerun:
yes"> </span>To illustrate, Maryland amended its definition of taxable
service to include transportation services for transmission, distribution
or delivery of electricity when the sale or use of electricity is subject
to the sales and use tax.<a style="mso-endnote-id:edn5" href="#_edn5" name="_ednref5" title><span style="mso-special-character:footnote" class="MsoEndnoteReference">[v]</span></a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</span>Similarly, <span style="layout-grid-mode:
line">Arizona revised its utilities classification definition to include in the
Transaction Privilege Tax base charges for providing ancillary services,
electric distribution services, electric generation services, electric
transmission services and other services related to providing electricity.<a style="mso-endnote-id:edn6" href="#_edn6" name="_ednref6" title><span style="mso-special-character:footnote" class="MsoEndnoteReference">[vi]</span></a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</span>Other taxable electricity services include metering, meter reading
services, billing and collection services. <o:p>
</o:p>
</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyTextIndent"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Deregulation of the electric industry brought about m<span style="layout-grid-mode:line">ore
extensive tax law changes in a couple of states.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</span>First, in New Jersey, t</span>he Energy Tax Reform legislation
repealed the gross receipts and franchise tax on electric utilities and
replaced it with a business tax on utilities and a sales and use tax on
electricity and electric services.<span style="mso-spacerun:
yes"> </span>Sales of electricity and charges for transporting electricity
are also subject to sales tax.<a style="mso-endnote-id:edn7" href="#_edn7" name="_ednref7" title><span style="mso-special-character:footnote" class="MsoEndnoteReference">[vii]</span></a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</span>Additionally, the definition of �vendor� was amended to include
energy sellers and transporters.<a style="mso-endnote-id:
edn8" href="#_edn8" name="_ednref8" title><span style="mso-special-character:footnote" class="MsoEndnoteReference">[viii]</span></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyTextIndent"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Second, restructuring of the industry led to an
overhaul of the tax system in Illinois.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</span>Section 2-202 of the Public Utilities Revenue Act was repealed and
new laws were enacted to collect taxes for consumption of electricity and
electric services. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The
Electricity Excise Tax<a style="mso-endnote-id:edn9" href="#_edn9" name="_ednref9" title><span style="mso-special-character:footnote" class="MsoEndnoteReference">[ix]</span></a>
is imposed on consumers and based on kilowatt hours delivered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</span>Non-residential consumers are allowed to self-assess this tax.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</span>In addition to the excise tax, various fees and charges were also
enacted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The Electric
Maintenance Infrastructure Fee<a style="mso-endnote-id:edn10" href="#_edn10" name="_ednref10" title><span style="mso-special-character:footnote" class="MsoEndnoteReference">[x]</span></a>
is imposed on consumers and collected by electricity transporters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</span>The last delivering supplier is responsible for collecting and
remitting the excise tax and maintenance fee.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</span>Municipal electric utilities and electric cooperatives may<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</span>impose a Renewable Energy Resources and Coal Development Assistance
Charge<a style="mso-endnote-id:
edn11" href="#_edn11" name="_ednref11" title><span style="mso-special-character:footnote" class="MsoEndnoteReference">[xi]</span></a>
and an Energy Assistance Charge.<a style="mso-endnote-id:edn12" href="#_edn12" name="_ednref12" title><span style="mso-special-character:footnote" class="MsoEndnoteReference">[xii]</span></a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</span>These charges are assessed monthly upon residential and
non-residential electric service accounts.</span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyTextIndent">In addition to the new taxes and fees
addressed above, there are numerous charges assessed on consumers that
provide electric utility companies a method to recover investment costs
that might otherwise be lost in the shift to a competitive market.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</span>The charges vary by state.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">When
Pennsylvania initiated restructuring, the state passed revenue replacement
measures to minimize revenue loss caused by restructuring.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</span>The Revenue Neutral Reconciliation Tax is designed to replace lost
revenue and help ease the transition from a regulated industry to a
competitive one.<a style="mso-endnote-id:edn13" href="#_edn13" name="_ednref13" title><span style="mso-special-character:footnote" class="MsoEndnoteReference">[xiii]</span></a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</span>Beginning on January 1, 2000, a tax of 0.06% is imposed upon the
gross receipts of electric distribution companies and electric generation
suppliers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The Revenue
Neutral Reconciliation Tax is in addition to the existing Utilities Gross
Receipts Tax, state sales tax and county taxes that are imposed on sales
of electric energy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Sales of
electric energy are defined to include the retail sales of electric
generation, transmission, distribution or supply of electric energy,
dispatching services, customer services, competitive transition charges,
intangible transition charges and universal service and energy
conservation charges and other retail sales which, if bundled, would have
been deemed to be electric energy prior to the effective date of the law
change.<a style="mso-endnote-id:edn14" href="#_edn14" name="_ednref14" title><span style="mso-special-character:footnote" class="MsoEndnoteReference">[xiv]</span></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Connecticut has also levied various fees associated
with restructuring.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>New
charges that became effective January 1, 2000 are the Systems Benefits
Charge<a style="mso-endnote-id:edn15" href="#_edn15" name="_ednref15" title><span style="mso-special-character:footnote" class="MsoEndnoteReference">[xv]</span></a>,
the Energy Conservation and Load Managment Fund Charge<a style="mso-endnote-id:
edn16" href="#_edn16" name="_ednref16" title><span style="mso-special-character:footnote" class="MsoEndnoteReference">[xvi]</span></a>,
and the Renewable Energy Investment Fund Charge<a style="mso-endnote-id:edn17" href="#_edn17" name="_ednref17" title><span style="mso-special-character:footnote" class="MsoEndnoteReference">[xvii]</span></a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</span>These charges are based on a per kilowatt hour and are imposed on
electric distribution utility customers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</span>End use customers in Connecticut will also be charged a Competitive
Transition Assessment<a style="mso-endnote-id:edn18" href="#_edn18" name="_ednref18" title><span style="mso-special-character:footnote" class="MsoEndnoteReference">[xviii]</span></a>
on distribution services until stranded costs are fully recovered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</span>Competitive transition charges and rate reduction bonds are two
methods approved by the Connecticut Department of Public Utility Control
to allow utility companies to recover costs incurred by divestiture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</span>These charges are in addition to the Administrative Expense
Assessment, which is based on charges for distribution services and
imposed on consumers<a style="mso-endnote-id:
edn19" href="#_edn19" name="_ednref19" title><span style="mso-special-character:footnote" class="MsoEndnoteReference">[xix]</span></a>.<span style="font-size:12.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p>
</o:p>
</span></p>
<span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-fareast-font-family:
"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-fareast-language:EN-US;
mso-bidi-language:AR-SA"><font face="Arial" size="3">Deregulation of the
electric industry brings with it many benefits and changes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</span>Through the forces of competition, the power to choose energy
suppliers will result in lower prices and improved service for consumers.<span style="mso-spacerun:
yes"> </span>The electric industry is a lucrative business and
deregulation will give the industry a much needed jump start.<span style="mso-spacerun:
yes"> </span>Newcomers are eager to enter and establish themselves in the
wholesale electricity market, while existing electric utility companies
are focusing on expanding their consumer base by encroaching into new
jurisdictions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Deregulation
is forcing states to modify tax laws, broaden definitions of taxable
services and add new taxes and fees.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</span>Utility and non-utility companies are faced with the daunting task
of tracking state tax laws, which will continue to evolve until full
retail competition is achieved nationwide.</font></span>
<div style="mso-element:endnote-list">
<div style="mso-element:endnote" id="edn1">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a style="mso-endnote-id:edn1" href="#_ednref1" name="_edn1" title><span style="mso-special-character:
footnote" class="MsoEndnoteReference">[i]</span></a> Source: Energy Information
Administration</p>
</div>
<div style="mso-element:endnote" id="edn2">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a style="mso-endnote-id:edn2" href="#_ednref2" name="_edn2" title><span style="mso-special-character:
footnote" class="MsoEndnoteReference">[ii]</span></a> Generation refers to the
process of producing electric energy; Distribution refers to the
delivery of electric energy to an end user; Transmission refers to the
transfer of electrical energy to a distribution system where it is
transformed for delivery to consumers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</span>Source: Energy Information Administration</p>
</div>
<div style="mso-element:endnote" id="edn3">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a style="mso-endnote-id:edn3" href="#_ednref3" name="_edn3" title><span style="mso-special-character:
footnote" class="MsoEndnoteReference">[iii]</span></a> Technical Information
Release 98-16, November 6, 1998.</p>
</div>
<div style="mso-element:endnote" id="edn4">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a style="mso-endnote-id:edn4" href="#_ednref4" name="_edn4" title><span style="mso-special-character:
footnote" class="MsoEndnoteReference">[iv]</span></a>TSB-M-99(1.1)S;
TSB-M-99(1.2)S; TSB-M-99(1.3)S; TSB-M-99(1.4)S, effective April 1,
2000; N.Y. Stat. Sec 1105(b) Tax Law.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p>
</div>
<div style="mso-element:endnote" id="edn5">
<p class="MsoNormal"><a style="mso-endnote-id:edn5" href="#_ednref5" name="_edn5" title><span style="mso-special-character:
footnote" class="MsoEndnoteReference">[v]</span></a> MD. CODE ANN., TAX-GEN. �11-101
(1999) (As amended by Ch. 1, Laws 1992, 1st Sp. Sess.; as relettered
by Ch. 685, Laws 1994; as amended by Ch. 6 (H.B. 366), Laws 1999,
effective January 1, 2000, applicable to all taxable years beginning
after December 31, 1999.)</p>
</div>
<div style="mso-element:endnote" id="edn6">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a style="mso-endnote-id:edn6" href="#_ednref6" name="_edn6" title><span style="mso-special-character:
footnote" class="MsoEndnoteReference">[vi]</span></a> ARIZ. REV. STAT. �42-5063
(1999)</p>
</div>
<div style="mso-element:endnote" id="edn7">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a style="mso-endnote-id:edn7" href="#_ednref7" name="_edn7" title><span style="mso-special-character:
footnote" class="MsoEndnoteReference">[vii]</span></a> N.J. REV. STAT. �54:32B-3(b)(7)
<span style="font-family:Times;layout-grid-mode:line">(As added by Ch.
162, Laws 1997, effective January 1, 1998.)</span></p>
</div>
<div style="mso-element:endnote" id="edn8">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a style="mso-endnote-id:edn8" href="#_ednref8" name="_edn8" title><span style="mso-special-character:
footnote" class="MsoEndnoteReference">[viii]</span></a> N.J. REV. STAT. �54:32B-3(i)(1)(G)
State Tax News, Department of Treasury, Division of Taxation, Winter
1997;</p>
</div>
<div style="mso-element:endnote" id="edn9">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a style="mso-endnote-id:edn9" href="#_ednref9" name="_edn9" title><span style="mso-special-character:
footnote" class="MsoEndnoteReference">[ix]</span></a> 35 ILL. COMP. STAT.
640/2-4 (1997) (P.A. 90-561, Laws 1997, effective August 1, 1998)</p>
</div>
<div style="mso-element:endnote" id="edn10">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a style="mso-endnote-id:edn10" href="#_ednref10" name="_edn10" title><span style="mso-special-character:
footnote" class="MsoEndnoteReference">[x]</span></a> 35 ILL. COMP. STAT. 645/5-5
(1997) (P.A. 90-561, Laws 1997, effective August 1, 1998)</p>
</div>
<div style="mso-element:endnote" id="edn11">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a style="mso-endnote-id:edn11" href="#_ednref11" name="_edn11" title><span style="mso-special-character:
footnote" class="MsoEndnoteReference">[xi]</span></a> ILL. ADMIN. CODE tit. 86
� 517.120 (1998)</p>
</div>
<div style="mso-element:endnote" id="edn12">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a style="mso-endnote-id:edn12" href="#_ednref12" name="_edn12" title><span style="mso-special-character:
footnote" class="MsoEndnoteReference">[xii]</span></a> ILL. ADMIN. CODE tit. 86
� 516.120 (1998)</p>
</div>
<div style="mso-element:endnote" id="edn13">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a style="mso-endnote-id:edn13" href="#_ednref13" name="_edn13" title><span style="mso-special-character:
footnote" class="MsoEndnoteReference">[xiii]</span></a> 66 PA. CONS. STAT. �2810(b)
(1997)</p>
</div>
<div style="mso-element:endnote" id="edn14">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a style="mso-endnote-id:edn14" href="#_ednref14" name="_edn14" title><span style="mso-special-character:
footnote" class="MsoEndnoteReference">[xiv]</span></a> 66 PA. CONS. STAT. �2810(j)
(1997)</p>
</div>
<div style="mso-element:endnote" id="edn15">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a style="mso-endnote-id:edn15" href="#_ednref15" name="_edn15" title><span style="mso-special-character:
footnote" class="MsoEndnoteReference">[xv]</span></a>Sec. 18, Act 28, Laws 1998,
effective January 1, 2000.</p>
</div>
<div style="mso-element:endnote" id="edn16">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a style="mso-endnote-id:edn16" href="#_ednref16" name="_edn16" title><span style="mso-special-character:
footnote" class="MsoEndnoteReference">[xvi]</span></a>Sec. 33, Act 28, Laws
1998, effective January 1, 2000.</p>
</div>
<div style="mso-element:endnote" id="edn17">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a style="mso-endnote-id:edn17" href="#_ednref17" name="_edn17" title><span style="mso-special-character:
footnote" class="MsoEndnoteReference">[xvii]</span></a>Sec. 44, Act 28 Laws
1998, effective January 1, 2000.</p>
</div>
<div style="mso-element:endnote" id="edn18">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a style="mso-endnote-id:edn18" href="#_ednref18" name="_edn18" title><span style="mso-special-character:
footnote" class="MsoEndnoteReference">[xviii]</span></a>Sec. 10, Act 28, Laws
1998, effective January 1, 2000.</p>
</div>
<div style="mso-element:endnote" id="edn19">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a style="mso-endnote-id:edn19" href="#_ednref19" name="_edn19" title><span style="mso-special-character:
footnote" class="MsoEndnoteReference">[xix]</span></a>CT G.S. Sec. 16-49.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p>
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