Public Power - September/October 2007 - (Page 44)

Now What? federal policy and constrain the choices we have to move ahead.” Trebing points to repeal of the Public Utility Holding Company Act, FERC’s new authority to approve mergers, the declining number of independent power producers, concentrated ownership of transmission, and governance of the RTOs. Anderson does not oppose mergers and acquisitions on a philosophical basis. “If the market conditions were right, we could see benefits from mergers and acquisitions,” he says. If the conditions were: open access for transmission with no barriers, no market power, demand-response valued the same as generation, and no capacity markets, it would make sense to have more consolidation, he says. “Having 10 to 15 large suppliers who are truly competing and an integrated grid er seeks ansform intellipetite tr e, ith Attractiv relationship w illing to ng-term nscious utility. W r long lo fo t-co gent, cos on [energized] 8 watts]. rned loss: be tu y t [NL little cos om man hours for ide references fr inquiries v Can pro clients. Serious … fied required satis o photos vited – n in the AECI Specialty Transformer and your utility! If you’re serious about reducing system losses, this product is perfect. Small but powerful, this transformer is the right choice for all of your small load applications (and it has a great personality too!). With no load losses as low as 8 watts and its small size, the AECI Specialty Transformer is the ideal, cost-effective power source for security lighting, capacitor racks, and billboard lighting. To find out more about making a “Connection” [matching our product and your system lines], please contact us at (800) 643-8776 or one of the other ways shown below. The Perfect Match: could provide a lot of benefits. But we will fight to prevent widescale consolidations under the conditions we have today,” he says. “FERC may be inclined to approve mergers and consolidations under its new authority, but I think the New Jersey and Maryland regulatory commissions sent an unbelievable chill through the prospect for large mergers. Their actions in challenging the Exelon/PSE&G merger also empowered other state commissions.” Hogan makes the case that market power must be mitigated, but he also testified on behalf of Exelon in its merger proposal with Public Service Electric and Gas of New Jersey, saying there would be no negative market power impacts, a position the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities rejected. “Consolidations can produce efficiencies and bring costs down—take telecommunications as an example—but it’s not happening in electric markets,” says Showalter. “The question about consolida- Two Essential Courses for Board Members, Both New and Experienced Power Supply 101: A Primer for Policymakers October 24, 2007 Policymakers Workshop: Governing in a Changing Marketplace October 25-26, 2007 Wyndham Burlington Hotel Burlington, Vermont For detailed information and to register, visit www.APPAnet.org and click on “Education” or contact Catherine Leonard at 202/467-2976 or cleonard@ APPAnet.org. Invest in your work force today… Reap the benefits tomorrow AECI Specialty Transformer Little Rock, AR USA 800.451.8061 tbaldwin@aeci.com www.aeci.com 44 SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2007 PUBLIC POWER

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Public Power - September/October 2007

Contents Washington Focus 10 Questions Public Power (Every) Week Training Tomorrow’s Work Force What’s in Your Wallet? U.S. Lags in Broadband Deployment Now What? For Engineers Safety Community Broadband For Governing Boards Human Resources Hometown Connections Customer Service DEED Index to Advertisers Advertisers by Category Parting Shot

Public Power - September/October 2007

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