electric utilities – Knowledge Problem

Utahns Get Low-cost, Reliable Electric Power. What is Wrong with That?

1 Comment / Electricity, Regulation / By Michael Giberson

Utah is doing just fine with monopoly electric service, says a state legislator who oversees the Utah Public Utilities Commission. The legislator, Carl Albrecht, was responding to an op-ed appearing in the Deseret News the week earlier by Ethan Dursteler and me in which we encouraged Utahns to consider retail electric competition. Albrecht is right …

Utahns Get Low-cost, Reliable Electric Power. What is Wrong with That? Read More »

The Weak Case for Continued Regulation of the Electric Power Industry

1 Comment / Electricity, Energy markets, Regulation / By Michael Giberson

In today’s Wall Street Journal special section on energy issues, a pair of articles presents the case for and against restructuring the electric power industry to introduce more competition. In favor of reform is Andrew Kleit: “YES: It Is the Best Way to Lower Costs and Increase Innovation.” In favor of the traditional regulated electric utility …

The Weak Case for Continued Regulation of the Electric Power Industry Read More »

Continuing Debate over the Economic Origins of Electric Utility Regulation

Economic history, Economics, Electricity, Regulation / By Michael Giberson

State regulation of electric utilities began in earnest about 1907 and by around 1920 almost all states had begun state regulation. Prior to state regulation, most electric utilities were regulated through city-issued franchise agreements. Was state regulation of privately-owned electric utilities efficiency enhancing relative to the municipal franchise regulation of electric utilities that preceded it? …

Continuing Debate over the Economic Origins of Electric Utility Regulation Read More »

Is Iowa Solar Power Ruling a Camel’s Nose into Electric Utility’s Monopoly Tent?

3 Comments / Electricity, Energy markets, Regulation / By Michael Giberson

Michael Giberson Eagle Point Solar, a for-profit solar power installer and operator, proposed to build a solar PV array on a Dubuque, Iowa municipal building under a long-term contract with the city. Under the contract, Eagle Point would own the solar array and sell power to the city in a “behind the meter” arrangement. The …

Is Iowa Solar Power Ruling a Camel’s Nose into Electric Utility’s Monopoly Tent? Read More »