Hacker News new | ask | show | jobs
by ghouse 1283 days ago
Investor-owned utility monopolies are regulated by the state. Either Public Utility Commissions or Corporation Commissions.

The alternative is publicly-owned utilities, like munis or coops. Typically the publicly-owned utilities have materially lower electricity rates.
1 comments
labcomputer 1283 days ago
> The alternative is publicly-owned utilities, like munis or coops.

You mean, like Silicon Valley Power (Santa Clara) or Los Angeles Department of Water and Power?

Both of which charge a fraction of PG&E does, and have more reliable power, and offer better customer service (SVP's website is around 1000x better than PG&E's), and more transparent billing, and more assistance to needy customers.

link
ghouse 1283 days ago
Yes. Other California, US examples are SMUD (Sacramento), TID (Turlock), MID (Modesto), IID (Imperial Valley), Redding, and Needles. Generally all have lower rates than PG&E, SCE, or SDG&E.
link