Electric Utilities: benefits of City-Owned Utilities

City-owned utilities provide more benefits for everyone.

       Throughout the 20th century, municipal utilities provided reliable electricity at rates averaging 20 percent lower than privately owned utilities. This is because publicly owned power companies don't have to pay shareholder dividends and high executive salaries and perks, which come right out of the pockets of ratepayers. Forty-seven communities in California, including Los Angeles, Sacramento, Palo Alto, and Alameda, enjoy the benefits of public power. The rest of the state could receive the same benefits by forming more municipal utility districts and a state power authority to run the state-wide aspects of the system.

Public ownership would improve system reliability and safety, and benefit workers.
      Many experienced utility workers have been dismissed since deregulation began. Line Maintenance and tree-trimming crews have been reduced. Nuclear reactors are being run by temporary workers with limited traiing. Energy efficiency and renewable energy departments have been gutted. This is not only bad for the workers. It's terrible for public safety, system reliability, and environmental protection.

      Utility workers would be big winners with public power. Public utilities make more sensible decisions about keeping the grid maintained, because they are accountable to the public, not shareholders. They are not frantically chasing profits at any cost.