Makes me glad my power comes from a co-op. However, the co-op buys power from a independent power plants that face many of the same issues of environment and an inability to expand production to meet demand. They are semi-independent in that they are separate corporations but local power co-ops are their major investors, so there is some level of influence there.
A couple miles from my house begins the monopoly territory of a city-owned water & electric utility and they are worse than any corporate utility I've ever seen anywhere. I am ever thankful I didn't buy a home in their territory (my daughter did). Service is on the bad side of the state utility averages for outages and installation delays and rates are 25% higher than any surrounding area, producing a profit for the city that sets the rates. The politicians routinely abuse the utility by raiding its profits for pet projects, give contracts to their cronies, and put family & friends on the payroll. The citizens complain steadily and are ignored, so be careful what you wish for.
