Restructuring targets global electrical grid

Journal Article · Wed Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1997 · Forum for Applied Research and Public Policy

OSTI ID:576820

Kahn, E ^[1]

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1. National Economic Research Associates Inc., San Francisco, CA (United States)

In the United Kingdom, restructuring has failed to produce substantial savings for the private customer. {open_quotes}The reality is that most of the benefits produced by the new competitive system have accrued to producers, not consumers,{close_quotes} says Edward Kahn, vice-president for National Economic Research Associates Inc., in San Francisco. But structural and historical differences are too great to allow the United States to adopt another country`s strategies. For instance, Kahn notes, {open_quotes}Outside the United States, utilities typically are publicly owned; inside the United States, utilities historically have been privately owned and heavily regulated{close_quotes}. In Australia, which most nearly compares with the United States in terms of geography and distribution of power lines, competitive practices have allowed utilities to cut employment rolls. {open_quotes}That`s one of the most effective ways to cut costs in a competitive environment,{close_quotes} Kahn says.

• OSTI ID: 576820
• Journal Information: Forum for Applied Research and Public Policy, Journal Name: Forum for Applied Research and Public Policy Journal Issue: 3 Vol. 12; ISSN FARPEL; ISSN 0887-8218
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
ELECTRIC POWER
GLOBAL ASPECTS
GOVERNMENT POLICIES
REGULATIONS