ANAHEIM

The Public Utilities Department passed a recommendation at a hearing this week that the company charge customers who switch their power to another utility. The proposed charge will help the company recoup losses they might suffer if they allow Anaheim residents to choose which utility will distribute their power.

Dawn Steele, spokeswoman for the department, said the proposal stems from legislation passed by the state mandating that privately owned utilities offer their customers power alternatives by deregulating.

Anaheim’s utilities are owned by the city, thus the law need not apply to them. However, the proposed extra charge suggests that the company is considering opening itself up to competition.