Keep ideology out of energy matters
"There are indications, moreover, that utilities have been
dissuaded from investment by the unsettling nature of
deregulation. Part of the transmission problem in the
Northeast may stem from the lack of regulatory
enforcement of transmission standard."
Tuesday, August 19, 2003
seattlepi.nwsource.com
SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER EDITORIAL BOARD
Like the experts studying the electricity blackout's cause,
political leaders need open minds.
They should not let themselves jump into enacting an
energy bill just for the sake of action or to push their
particular political beliefs.
A bill heavy on ideology -- deregulation is the theme of
House Republicans' version of energy legislation -- won't do
much. And it could make things worse by dragging the
Northwest and the Southeast, with strong regional
transmission systems, into the type of mess the Midwest
and Northeast created for themselves.
The blackout clearly reflects a lack of investment in new
equipment. Deregulation supporters can make a legitimate
case that a more competitive market might have led to more
of the needed spending on facilities.
A well-regulated market has served Americans well,
however, with reliable -- not perfect -- service and low costs.
So we don't think deregulation offers any real attraction,
particularly for the Northwest.
There are indications, moreover, that utilities have been
dissuaded from investment by the unsettling nature of
deregulation. Part of the transmission problem in the
Northeast may stem from the lack of regulatory
enforcement of transmission standards.
But varying approaches, even including deregulation, can
work if policy-makers look carefully at practical
improvements suggested by inquiries into last week's loss
of service. Energy flows require well-managed technology,
not ideology. |
