Power Deregulation

* So we have a power shortage (Aug. 2). And the rates are going up dramatically. When the utility companies were all regulated, they knew they had to sell the power for a certain amount. So they had to figure out how to make it for less than that. They had an incentive to find a way to make it cheaper. Now, under deregulation, they dumped their pesky power plants and just buy power at a phony state auction, with no incentive to lower their costs. Then they “mark it up” and send it out to us. And we have to pay; we have no alternative.

STEVE WAECHTER

Fullerton