Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Excuse me, Mr. Smith, but...

All of my life, I have heard everyone complain about how the power company here in my home state is ripping everyone off and that we should open up the market to competition. I don't know how it is where you live, but the government grants a monopoly to one company in return for the large investment into the energy infrastructure. To be honest, this has never bothered me. So now I'm moving to the Lonestar State. I learn that in my area (the city where some cowboy in the back stood up and yelled "cotton eye Joe") we have many power companies to choose from. What's scary is that they are all variable rate companies unless you can sign a 24 month contract, which I can't because I'm only there for 12 weeks. The amazing thing is that in this free competitive market, the price is about 50% more. That doesn't even include that they have a minimum use quota which is more than I've ever used in my very large abode in home state, I can't imagine even coming close to that in my Lonestar janitor's closet.

5 comments:

Guy Fawkes said...

Who the hell complains about the power company in our home state? Rates are extremely low, service is brilliant, and they usually respond to outages before they're even called in.

Unknown said...

...

All power is variable rate...when you're paying fixed rate for power you're actually paying more (for the regulated return on assets for the utility).

Want to know why your new state's power is so much more expensive? Poor planning. Population is growing too fast, coal plants are getting shut down by the environmentalists and all of the new renewable projects are in the middle of nowhere so you can't get the power to the people. That being said, the deregulated market has encouraged tremendous economic growth in the private power sector and led to increased investments in renewable technology, among other things. You will quickly discover that our home state had some of the best power in the nation...

Phaedrus said...

t should make sense that you two defend it so vehemently. I'm not complaining. I'm a huge fan of Homestate Power Co. My year in the Magnolia State taught me how great I had it back home-my power always went out.

Besides, you should know that I closely relate to the power company workers.

Phaedrus said...

Surprisingly, renewable source power is available where I am going to live. But it's about 5 cents per kwh more than non-renewable. I'm going to ride the bus and buy from Whole Foods all summer, so I will consider those my good green deeds.

Unknown said...

Make sure you use your reusable grocery bags at Whole Foods...