Michael Giberson A newspaper report said, “Internet and direct-mail sales have become essential to the growth of smaller winemakers and microbrewers in the last decade.” No doubt the reason that “distributors of alcoholic beverages are pressing for a federal law that would allow states to block interstate sales of wine and beer to their residents….” …
Defending the ‘three Tier’ Alcohol Distribution System Read More »
Michael Giberson The upcoming highly publicized, somewhat politicized release of the Chevy Volt is attracting some unfavorable attention because of the significant dealer markup that at least some Chevrolet dealers are seeking. Edmunds AutoObserver reports being asked for $20,000 for the dealer in addition to the MSRP of $41,000. Around automotive blogs, the phrase “price …
Michael Giberson Tom Konrad examines the question, “Will PACE financing damage the mortgage market? PACE is “Property Assessed Clean Energy” financing, a financing mechanism through which cities sell bonds and then loan the proceeds to property owners to improve building energy efficiency. As noted here previously, I’m not opposed to the PACE approach to investments …
Michael Giberson From Aaron Smith, econoblogging at the Christian Science Monitor, speaking of government intervention into the economy and capping “excessive” salaries in particular. (Note that the first sentence is explicating typical arguments made by other folks, not Smith’s own view. The very good sentence is the one that follows.): The money saved from capping …
Lynne Kiesling Last week the Maryland Public Service Commission rejected Baltimore Gas & Electric’s proposed project to install over 2 million digital electric or gas meters, change the retail electricity rate structure to incorporate time-of-use pricing and peak-time rebates, and recover the meter capital costs through a surcharge on residential retail bills. BG&E’s ambitious and …
What the Maryland Psc’s Rejection of Bg&e’s Smart Grid Proposal Reveals About Regulation Read More »
Michael Giberson In Arizona, solar power installation company SolarCity has been told it must be regulated as a public utility if it employs a financing arrangement it has developed, a “solar services agreement,” to sell its services to non-profit entities. Usually SolarCity builds solar power systems and provides financing and ongoing monitoring services, but doesn’t …
When Should a Solar Power Installer Be Treated Like a Regulated Public Utility? Read More »
Michael Giberson After a severe thunderstorm pelted The Village, Oklahoma with “golf ball- to grapefruit-size hail,” leaving almost all of the 5000 or so homes in the town in need of roof and other repairs, the city council voted to increase the cost of a building permit from $110 to $150. A couple of folks …
Is a Post-disaster Building Permit Fee Increase an Example of Price Gouging? Read More »
Michael Giberson The Isolated Plant magazine published “A letter from a New York Correspondent,” in their August 1909 edition: Mr. Editor: From the viewpoint of one of the “common people,” the recent issues of your magazine have been striking fire with every telling blow… The following incident is mentioned as a bit of local history. …
Cogeneration Vs. Monopoly Electric Utility Service, Circa 1909 Read More »
Michael Giberson News headlines say, “Orlando wants to prevent gas price gouging,” though the practice Orlando politicians want to stop isn’t price gouging, per se. Rather, the target of the proposal is gasoline retailers near Orlando International Airport who charge substantially higher gasoline prices than neighboring stations. The proposal would require gasoline stations near the …
Orlando Wants to Discourage High Gas Prices Near the Airport Read More »
Michael Giberson Even before the current oil spill into the Gulf of Mexico it was well understood that drilling offshore sometimes results in spills. The current oil spill in the news has brought the idea of spills to the attention of many, many more people, people who don’t usually think too much about these things. …
Oil Spills, Movie Stars, Robot Unicorns and Regulation Read More »
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