On Sat, 20 Feb 2010 03:37:36 -0500, "Michael A. Terrell"
wrote:
wrote:
"Michael A. Terrell" wrote in message
...
wrote:
I've lived where the power utility was owned by the city- it's not
uncommon.
I hit send too fast. 
That's similar to living on a military base where they run the
utilities, except they didn't meter the electric. They also supplied
the water, natural gas (Where available), diesel fuel for the generators
at remote bases and steam to heat buildings in cold climates. They
operated the CATV and telephone systems, and in a few places they had
the only local radio or TV station and printed the newspaper.
Ft. Greely, AK. was like that, except for natural gas which wasn't
available.
I live within 15 miles of two city operated electric utilities. The
rates are about double what people outside the city limits pay, and all
the electricity comes from the same power plants. Then they complain
when businesses move out of the city, or the county because of high
taxes & utilities.
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Actually the rates were competitive. Rates in the whole region, including
the city went up when de-regulation came in with chain store economics-
maximise short term profit.
Not around here. The cities base a lot of their budget on the money
they collect by jacking up the utility bills. Now they are crying
because a lot of people have cut back their use, and a lot of
restaurants and small businesses have closed which took a lot of their
revenue.
Out electric rates (city owned electric company) are pretty
reasonable, though I admit I haven't checked the area outside the
city. We're paying under $.10/kWh, which certainly can't be double.
Our highest bill this winter, a cold one, was about $175.