Energy Profits a Matter of Design

Duke Energy Corp., in exchange for refunding alleged overcharges, wants discounts for settling investigations against it and a lowering of the rhetoric as well [“Duke Holds the Cards in High-Powered Game,” May 20].

Duke also wants Gov. Davis to indicate that the electricity crisis is the fault of the government and not the industry.

Billions of dollars in profit overnight as a result of deregulation are more the product of careful planning, not some hapless slip-up or fault of state government.

These energy companies have been caught with their hands in the cookie jar. Now they are bargaining to take their hands out of the cookie jar with the provision that they will be allowed unlimited access in the future.

Barbara Fogg

Venice