Molly Ivins: There goes the electrical grid

[Dudley_DUright]

The trouble with deregulation is that it always takes some disaster like Enron before we realize there was a reason for the regulation to begin with.

We are about to repeat one of the huge mistakes of the 1920s and '30s because we have forgotten why PUHCA (pronounced Pooka) was instituted in the first place. PUHCA is the Public Utility Holding Company Act, passed in 1935, which prevents concentration of ownership of power plants. Both the House and Senate versions of the energy bill contain a repeal of PUHCA.

As Kelpie Wilson pointed out in an article for Truthout, "For 50 years we have had reliable, cheap electric power that has allowed strong economic growth, and no PUHCA-regulated energy holding company has ever gone broke."

PUHCA was partially repealed in the '90s, and even that much deregulation was part of what led to Enron, Westar and other slight mishaps.

more...

http://www.workingforchange.com/article.cfm?itemid=19337

[mrdmk]

1. These never lived in California in 2000 and 2001 during the so-

called energy crisis. It was a crisis all right, some people lost their lives during this event. When these people learn how to quit.

[Double T]

2. Wall Street Scum Teaming Up With Energy Corporations Will......

Drive Electric Energy Prices Through The Roof. The Electrical Reliability Will Also Become Worse As The Grid System Continues To Age.

[silvershadow]

3. there is a damn good reason for regulation

Sadly, the right-wing corporatists have framed the debate over the last several years, leading the sheep to believe that regulation is the boogeyman. You know, less "government intrusion" into your affairs. Of course, the dumb asses believe it. Not only do we need regulations, we need MORE regulation in order to preserve fair prices and the balance of power. Not only in the utilities industries, but many other industries as well. Unfortunately, I don't forsee this ever happening.