The Issuesquote

Electric: Freedom vs. Regulation

We must tread lightly when it comes to regulation. Recent moves to regulate the utility are shortsighted, politically motivated and prey on our desperation for relief.

Remember: Nixon regulated the Airlines and prices increased. Carter regulated gas and prices skyrocketed and we had shortages. We deregulated Long Distance in ‘96 and the prices plummeted.

The bottom line is Freedom trumps regulation. If we use the model of States like Texas, Pennsylvania and Illinois, we can slash electric rates. They pay 1/3 what we pay during peak hours and 1/5 during off peak.

By decoupling the production of electricity with the transportation of electricity we can inject Competition into the electric market place. This is not an engineering problem; it is a simple accounting procedure.

Next door neighbors can purchase from different competing companies. One may choose to support the local company, another may choose solely based on price and another may choose to pay a little more to go green.

No longer will we have to cry “Taxation Without Representation” because we vote every time we purchase electricity.

When markets are free, everybody benefits.
 

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