The Republicans in Texas are getting hit over the head with their own petard

[Horse with no Name]

The utility deregulation in Texas was a boondoggle. Free market they said will bring down utility prices making them "competitive". Instead, Texans pay more for their utilities than any other continental state.
Now, Atmos Energy--who has been charging outlandish rates to their customers, wants to charge CUSTOMERS to pay for new infrastructure. I am curious what the high rates we have been paying have purchased?
They were so accomodated by House Republicans with The Gas Reliability Infrastructure Program. Now, they are realizing it is being abused and are seeking to overturn it. Shock Shock.
So Texas Republicans..how is that free market working out for you? Speaking as a Texan I can tell you it doesn't work well for me.

http://theparisnews.com/story.lasso?ewcd=fed261358e2ed628
>>>>snip
Because natural gas providers are abusing the Gas Reliability Infrastructure Program, we support Senate Bill 742, which state Sen. Kevin Eltife, R-Tyler, introduced last week.

The program is supposed to encourage gas companies to provide reliable infrastructure between rate cases by allowing them to assess customers a surcharge for capital costs. Companies get to recoup infrastructure and capital costs without filing a full rate case before the Texas Railroad Commission. It is convenient for gas companies.

>>>>snip
For example, Atmos Energy recently made headlines for charging Texas customers for infrastructure-related costs incurred in Louisiana and Kentucky. Eltife said the company also tried to include costs for air travel, entertainment, liquor and hotels in rate requests submitted to the commission.
>>>snip
We are opposed to unnecessary government regulation, but the irresponsible actions of gas companies has made regulation necessary to protect the citizens of Texas from abuse. Texans should not have to pay for infrastructure in other states nor pick up the tab for booze, entertainment, travel and hotels for company executives.

[acmavm]

1. You gotta wonder what it is that's in the air or the water or what-

ever down there in Texas that makes the people so complacent and quiet everytime a bill goes through down there, one that's designed to rip them off big time.

I know I do.

[Horse with no Name]

2. Well considering we are the most polluted state in the union

there really is no telling...

[Dr.Phool]

3. There's a reason why these industries were regulated in the first place.

Left to their own devices, and with little or no regulations, utility companies will cut costs, and maximize their profit at every opportunity.

Up through the 70's and early '80s, these utilities were regulated monopolies, and were guaranteed a reasonable profit. Following deregulation, they cut maintenance, sold off infrastructure, and jacked up prices as high as the market would bear.

And it's not just Texas.