Only one part of the electric business has really been deregulated in Ohio: the origin of electric power, called the generation source. The only choice investor-owned utility (IOU) customers have is who generates their power. Transmission and distribution of this power, along with the service of such - will remain in the hands of the local utility.

Under deregulation, existing IOUs that own generation facilities can try to sell their power to consumers, regardless of their city or state location. Power marketers (companies that buy and sell energy for a profit without owning a generation facility) can join this power party, too. All of them will be competing for the business of electric consumers, promising savings at every turn.

So far we have seen little actual choice in Ohio, especially for residential consumers. The options that do exist are limited to consumers in northern Ohio-an area with electric rates significantly higher than the rest of the state.