We received the IREA monthly newsletter and it begins by lauding the principle of regulated monopolies for public utilities, and then goes on to dispute many of the public policy regulations being applied to electric utilities in Colorado. While I agree with the economic conclusions IREA makes about alternative energies, it is disingenuous to praise the regulatory state on the one hand, but turn around and condemn it when the regulations go against them. IREA uses the phrase “government manipulations of the electric utility industry” as a pejorative shortly after lavishing praise on the government for “granting exclusive territory” licenses. What the government gives the government can take away, and complaining about it now after enjoying years of monopoly privilege seems just pathetic.
