Reforming PUHCA

Journal Article · Tue Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1988 · Alternative Sources Energy; (United States)

OSTI ID:7146948

Kessler, M L; Sperling, G P

The Public Utility Holding Company Act (PUHCA), enacted in 1935, must be modified to encourage more competition in the electric power industry. For decades, regulated utilities exercised a virtual monopoly over the generation of electric power for sale to other utilities or to ultimate end users. The generation of power by non-utility entities was primarily undertaken by large industries for the purpose of self use, not for sale to utilities or to the public. The enactment of the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (PURPA) stimulated a fundamental change in the business of electric power production by creating a market for non-utility generated power. This new market resulted from the requirement imposed under Section 210 of PURPA that regulated utilities purchase power generated by qualifying facilities (QFs). Today there is growing consensus that new power projects should be developed based upon the need for capacity and the economics of project development, regardless of whether the project is a QF, or a non-QF independent power production (IPP) facility. However, the PUHCA stands as a significant obstacle to investment in non-QF generating capacity by independent power producers.

• Research Organization: Wicksire, Gavin, and Gibbs, P.C., Washington, DC (USA)
• OSTI ID: 7146948
• Journal Information: Alternative Sources Energy; (United States), Journal Name: Alternative Sources Energy; (United States); ISSN ASEND
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
293000 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Policy
Legislation
& Regulation
296000* -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Electric Power
AMENDMENTS
ELECTRIC POWER
ELECTRIC UTILITIES
INVESTMENT
LEGISLATION
MARKET
POWER
POWER GENERATION
PUBLIC UTILITIES
RELIABILITY