Interesting talk on Radio 4 about the surge damage done in Houston (Irene?) and that 13 million people were without electricity, some for 2 weeks.
It seems with the deregulation and unbundling of national power companies, to whatever extent that applies in the US, the Texas power companies have deliberately isolated themselves from the national grid. While this means there is no connection between the Texas Grid and any neighbouring grids, it also means they are exempt from or manage to evade federal legislation.
It also meant that consumers then faced increased electricity bills and taxes to recover from the damage caused by the storm surge.
But what got my attention was the concept of "neo liberalism" which was said to be to blame for all this. The idea that private companies can act for short term profit and not long term sustainability.
Seems to me it is too easy to blame companies which are legally obliged to act in the best interests of the shareholders when in fact it is legislators who bear the responsibility for establishing, monitoring and enforcing the regulatory environment companies must operate in.
If there is a need for social responsibility and Texas power evaded it by evading federal regulation (and presumably, federal relief and aid) then the responsibility is with the Texas Legislature.
And this is a simple example of how things can go astray. You want to live in Texas with smart meters? Maybe not. Not without better legislation and not without some oversight from the citizens, not without someone who truly represents the consumers having a voice on the regulatory boards. (and that doesn't mean an elected political animal).
Incidentally, we should not expect too much of any OFGAS, OFTEL, or any other Oversight group since they all tend to gravitate to either doing what government wants or what the service provider wants and the consumer gets the short end from both. There is a case to be made for periodic house cleaning, e.g. as provided for in the second amendment (we should have such an amendment in UK law)
JMW
