In deregulated markets, an independent party is still required to insure that competitive utilities do not produce market conditions and consumer costs radically different from those in regions served by public utilities, and that rates and planning are coordinated throughout a state or region for the benefit of all customers within that territory. This responsibility falls in part to an independent system planner, an organization assigned to tasks including evaluation of proposed rate increases, plant construction and other activities relating to market health and public interest.

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