Alternative dispute resolution in electricity: Just do it!

Journal Article · Wed Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1995 · Electricity Journal

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/1040-6190(95)90109-4· OSTI ID:456951

Coughlin, J T

Using mediation and arbitration, rather than traditional litigation, would produce enormous savings to the utility industry - in costs, time, and sparing use of key management resources. The time to institutionalize ADR is now! Prior to the recent formation of the first regional transmission groups (RTGs), the electric utility industry had made relatively sparing use of alternative dispute resolution (ADR). Historically, the industry`s time-honored reaction, when confronted with disputes of any significance, has been to sound the alarm and have its lawyers man their litigation battle stations. The results of these efforts have been mixed for both winners and losers - but the most common result has been high legal fees and multi-year litigation. In contrast to the electric utility industry`s marginal use of ADR, alternative dispute resolution is widely used to resolve disputes in such areas as: environmental cleanup, product liability, intellectual property and construction contract disputes, to name just a few. Internationally, disputes arising in North America Free Trade Agreement-related matters are subject to arbitration.

• OSTI ID: 456951
• Journal Information: Electricity Journal, Journal Name: Electricity Journal Journal Issue: 9 Vol. 8; ISSN ELEJE4; ISSN 1040-6190
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
ARBITRATION
COMPETITION
DEREGULATION
DISPUTE SETTLEMENTS
ELECTRIC POWER INDUSTRY