The past and future of electricity regulation.
By 2006-2011, electricity will be purchased and sold in both wholesale and eligible retail markets by any willing creditworthy participant. Markets will clear with competitive prices. Competitive prices will function so as to ration existing supplies efficiently in the short run and to elicit adequate technology and infrastructure in...

Evolving electric utility regulatory policy: internalizing the social costs of production.
I Introduction AT SOME POINT in the latter part of the twentieth century, Americans commenced to "overconsume" or waste electricity. Such consumption patterns have begun to push at the global limits of land and energy resources that include not only indigenous fossil fuel reserves but also the capacity...

Saving energy (and much more) in Vermont: how an innovative nonprofit, Efficiency Vermont, the nation's first statewide provider of energy efficiency services, is helping businesses and households save money, reduce energy use, and protect the environment.
Vermont has a lot of barns, among them a particular 140-year-old structure in Fairfax, in the state's northwest, that houses about 90 dairy cows. Back in the 1990s, its interior was lit by several 100-watt bulbs and there also was a hot water heater. Together, these ran a monthly...

State and federal command-and-control regulation of emissions from fossil-fuel electric power generating plants.
I. INTRODUCTION In 2001, the public was fed a steady diet of news stories concerning electrical energy shortages and escalating prices. California received the most attention after experiencing power blackouts, rationing, and staggering increases in annual electric power costs. (1) Some industry interests attempted to use the...

RTOs--to join or not to join? CRN research zeros in on RTO costs, benefits and co-op experiences.
The march of regional transmission organizations (RTOs) across the country is placing big decisions with far-reaching implications before G&T cooperatives. Are RTOs--the traffic cops for the grid useful and suitable for coops? Some co-ops have already joined RTOs and others are looking into membership. But reports from the field...

Algerian energy reform: more than just hot air: Algeria, already the world's third largest gas exporter, is making giant efforts to develop and promote further expansion of the industry. (Energy).
As with other members of Opec, Algerian attempts to increase oil production over the next few years are constrained by quota restrictions. As a result, the government has taken stock of the situation and decided to put huge efforts into expanding its gas sector. With plentiful reserves and a...

Fears of power rate hike due to okay of VAT bill allayed.
Senate Minority Leader Aquilino "Nene" Q. Pimentel, Jr. (PDP-Laban) allayed yesterday fears of consumers that the lifting of the Value Added Tax (VAT) exemption of the power sector would trigger sharp increases in their electricity bill. Pimentel said that power utility firms are prohibited from passing on...

The eagles of deregulation: the role of the courts in a restructured environment.
I. INTRODUCTION Welcome to the Hotel California... You can check out any time you like But you can never leave (1) The consumer in the Sunshine State has checked into the electric future suite at the Hotel California; it will be an extended stay, and...

NY Assemblyman Paul Tonko: Energy Committee Chairman.
Assemblyman Tonko represents the 105th district, which includes Montgomery and parts of Schenectady counties. Besides chairing the Committee on Energy, he is a member of 4 other committees: Agriculture, Education, Racing and Wagering, and Transportation. Q: What does the Energy Committee do? "The committee deals...

Emerald utility seeks voters' OK to invest in renewable energy.
Byline: Jeff Wright The Register-Guard The Emerald People's Utility District is ready to invest in wind farms and other renewable energy projects - but first needs a thumbs-up from voters. Measure 20-126 on the Nov. 7 ballot would allow EPUD to enter into multiple contracts...