The Cost of Natural Gas [was Re: The Cost of California Liberalism]

[Ray Dillinger]

On Fri, 29 Dec 2000, James A. Donald wrote:

>     --
> > For those who care, take a look at
> > http://www.nytimes.com/2000/12/10/opinion/10KRUG.html which is an
> > op-ed piece by an MIT Economics prof. describing the California
> > situation in the same terms I have.   He cites a paper which in turn
> > cites evidence that artificial shortages were previously created in
> > the UK (1996) and California (1998 & 1999).  unfortunately no
> > detail, but it is more than just random conspiracy theory.
>
>
>He describes the california system as "deregulated", but the fact that it 
>takes many years to get permission to build a power plant -- that it takes 
>longer to get permits than to actually build one, is undoubtedly a 
>contributing factor to the crisis.

Odd.  If it's "deregulated",  why do the power companies have to ask 
CPUC's permission to raise rates?  I don't think "deregulated" means 
what he thinks it means.

				Bear