5. a. By order the board shall provide that by no earlier than June 1, 1999, but in no event later than August 1, 1999, each electric public utility shall provide retail choice of electric power suppliers for its customers. Each electric public utility shall fully implement retail choice in 100 percent of its franchise area within this State on the starting date of retail competition.

b. Each electric public utility shall comply with the schedule for the implementation of retail choice established pursuant to subsection a. of this section. The board shall have the authority to require each electric public utility to submit a restructuring filing, with elements deemed necessary by the board, which shall include the mechanisms by which it will comply with the schedule for implementation of retail choice established pursuant to subsection a. of this section and with the other provisions of this act. Such filing shall be reviewed and, after notice and hearing, may be approved, rejected or modified by the board, and the board may take such additional actions as it deems necessary to enforce compliance with this act.

L.1999,c.23,s.5.