Proceedings of Workshop on the Evolving Structure of the Electric Utility Industry. (Papers and Edited Transcripts from Workshop Held at McLean,Virginia on March 9and 10, 1976).

摘要

Factors affecting the structure of the electric utility industry,organizational alternatives such as power pooling and separation of utility functions,and relationships between regulation and competition were topics at this workshop attended by representatives of utilities,state and federal regulatory agencies,and economic and engineering research fields. This document contains the papers presented and edited transcripts of the ensuing discussions. Many of the participants focussed on the increased risk and uncertainty that motivates many of the current trends and proposed innovations in industry structure. A trend toward tightened cooperation and horizontal industry concentration was seen. The New England Electric System was discussed as an example of power pools that exhibit many benefits. Regulatory actions can increase competition in such areas as bulk power supply but applicability of antitrust law is not well defined. Implications of many technological advances need exploration.