Alternating Currents: Electricity Markets and Public Policy (Resources for the Future) [Paperback]

Timothy J. Brennan (Author), Karen L. Palmer (Author), Salvador A. Martinez (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 2002 | ISBN-10: 1891853074 | ISBN-13: 978-1891853074

Many states within the U.S., and many countries across the world, are opening their electicity markets to competition. Many others are uncertain about their plans. These differences emphasize the complexities involved in the technology and regulatory structure of the electricity industry--an industry for which the introduction of market competition has been notoriously difficult. In response to these challenges, Alternating Currents provides a timely overview and analysis of the concerns facing industry regulators, legislators, and others as they consider whether, when, and how to open electricity markets. Authors Brennan, Palmer, and Martinez offer background on the history of regulatory policy and the technology for producing and delivering electric power. They then provide insights into the policy debates and economic issues involved in eleven important topics, including industry structure, system integrity and reliability, the mitigation of market power, and environmental protection. Alternating Currents describes the recent events leading to the demise of retail competition in California with the intent on drawing lessons for the future. In the end, the authors offer their perspective about what makes electricity a unique resource and how those factors make the potential conflict between competition and reliability the most pressing of the long-term concerns about the transformation of the electric power industry.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'An even better primer than Shock . . . excellent, balanced description of California Energy crisis. The best available introduction to electricity marketing restructuring.' Regulation 'This book belongs on the shelf of any stakeholder in the restructuring debate - and every journalist who reports on it.' Electricity Daily

Review

"Well written and accessible for students, the general public, and members of the policy community. The coverage of market power is both sophisticated and balanced. It is one of the best summaries I have seen on the subject. The discussion of current debates, particularly the response to what happened in California, is timely and well balanced." -- William W. Hogan, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University

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Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: RFF Press (February 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1891853074
• ISBN-13: 978-1891853074
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 7.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,946,671 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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