Gas Pipelines and the Emergence of America's Regulatory State: A History of Panhandle Eastern Corporation, 1928-1993 (Studies in Economic History and Policy: USA in the Twentieth Century) [Hardcover]

Christopher J. Castaneda (Author), Clarance M. Smith (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 31, 1996 | ISBN-10: 0521561663 | ISBN-13: 978-0521561662 | Edition: First Edition

The study of Panhandle Eastern's history shows the relationship between regulatory policy and the modern corporation in the twentieth century from a unique perspective, for it extends over three eras. This book shows how entrepreneurs competed, first, in an unregulated industry through the exercise of unrestrained corporate muscle, then as it became increasingly regulated and profitable, and finally in the era of business reorganization and deregulation when regulators changed the structure of the pipeline industry.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...A well written history....Castaneda and Smith are skilled in providing brief sketches of Panhandle executives." Business History Review

"Gas Pipelines is a balanced and careful book that tells an important and thought-provoking story." Werner Troesken, The Journal of Economic History

"The history of Panhandle Eastern, clearly and sparsely delineated by Castaneda and Smith, provides exceptionally useful evidence of the dysfunctionality of federal energy regulation, largely reinforcing the earlier work of H.K. Vietor; provides a carefully researched case history of adaptation to changing regulatory and political environments; and together with earleir work, identifies Castaneda as the principal historian of a major industry." Roger M. Olien,The Journal of American History

"The authors' principle theme is the relationship between Panhandle's business strategy and the shifting regulatory environment in which it operated. They give a good account of the company side of the relationship. They conducted scores of interviews with present and past Panhandle employees and had unrestricted access to corporate archives. The result is a story both detailed and readable." Technology and Culture

Book Description

The study of Panhandle Eastern's history shows the relationship between regulatory policy and the modern corporation in the twentieth century from a unique perspective, for it extends over three eras--unregulated, regulated and deregulated.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press; First Edition edition (May 31, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521561663
• ISBN-13: 978-0521561662
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,647,008 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Regulated to Deregulated, January 28, 2004

By 

Larry Sullivan "lwrsul" (Williamsburg, Virginia, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Gas Pipelines and the Emergence of America's Regulatory State: A History of Panhandle Eastern Corporation, 1928-1993 (Studies in Economic History and Policy: USA in the Twentieth Century) (Paperback)

Castaneda and Smith chart the history of an entrepreneurial industry (natural gas supply) up against the giants of early electricity/town gas. The holding companies in New York and Chicago used all they could keep out the midwestern natural gas guys. Enron excutives should have read this tome!

Then the natural gas guys got what they wanted - a market, but like the electricity guys, they had to give up the entrepreneurial hat. Gates should read this book.

Finally, the Feds screwed up gas regulation so badly that they became mired in a swamp with innumerable FERC orders. All this is destined to be repeated soon as natural gas becomes again in short supply one week, over supply the next and a political target the third. These authors used business history to explain the rise, compromise, fall and recovery of a misunderstood industry related to the larger issues of de-regulation. How do you deregulate when the corporate culture is ossified (airlines, government, utilities, etc.)? California serves as an example of what lays in store for us should we allow a monopolist mentality to be free. This is an ideal text for MBA students (or law) who will be charting the corporate structures in the future. Will we have holding companies, Go-Go 1960s Littons, Dot.coms or some offshore entities be used (Enron) to be the foundations of our critical infrastructures? These authors address this and more.