Wired for Greed: The Shocking Truth about America's Electric Utilities [Paperback]

Joe Seeber (Author), Jim Moore (Contributor)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 17, 2005

Most Americans still do not understand electric utilities, and many consumers have only a vague grasp of the intricacies of regulation and deregulation. This is a paradox of sorts; regulation, in particular, seems easy enough to grasp. The real difficulty lies in understanding how power companies have manipulated the regulators.

If you think utility deregulation has done away with electric utility monopolies, think again! Deregulation is a myth—it’s business as usual for the power companies.

For most of America, utility deregulation has yet to become a reality. Even if it does, electric companies will still swindle those they serve. Why? One reason: deregulation allows the utility giants to retain control of the transmission and distribution of electricity.

Utility cheating has gone unchecked for more than a century. Author Joe Seeber has caught the electric companies red-handed, from fudged financials and courtroom trickery to meter manipulation and outright fraud. He paints a compelling portrait of an industry wired for greed—and argues that it’s time someone pulled the plug.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Joe Seeber has audited electric utilities for more than twenty-five years. He’s founder and president of Tri-Stem. He and his wife, Elaine, live near Waco, Texas.

Jim Moore is the author of nine books. He holds degrees in history and political science, and he divides his time between Texas and the United Kingdom.

Product Details

• Paperback: 124 pages
• Publisher: iUniverse, Inc. (October 17, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 059535744X
• ISBN-13: 978-0595357444
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,572,215 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars An ably written documentation of the truths that render monopoly for America's allegedly deregulated power companies, March 7, 2006

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Wired for Greed: The Shocking Truth about America's Electric Utilities (Paperback)

Wired For Greed: The Shocking Truth About America's Electric Utilities by Joe Seeber and Jim Moore is an ably written documentation of the truths that render monopoly for America's allegedly deregulated power companies. Readers will discover the manipulative tendencies and constructs that enable the electric companies to control their clients. Wired For Greed is a highly informative and knowledgeably written eye-opener with potential to revolutionize the electric consuming nation of America's taken citizens, a highly recommended read.

5.0 out of 5 stars Illuminating book, March 7, 2006

By 

Mary J. Reed - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Wired for Greed: The Shocking Truth about America's Electric Utilities (Paperback)

Although electricity is essential to our daily lives and to our economy, most of us know little or nothing about electric utility companies. According to Joe Seeber, founder and president of a utility audit business, it's about time we end our ignorance. He knows utilities inside and out and claims that they are corrupt, enjoy overly cozy relationships with elected officials, and are out to mazimize profits at the expense of consumers. He illustrates his claims with real life stories that will amaze and entertain you. He also explains why deregulation of the electric utility industry is a sham, something many readers may be discovering now that they are faced with steep hikes in the cost of electricity, despite promises from state elected officials that deregulation would bring lower costs. If you don't believe that a book about the electric utility industry can be interesting, think again. Wired for Greed is fascinating and sheds light on an industry we should all know a lot more about.

5.0 out of 5 stars Wired for Greed - Pretty good read, December 19, 2005

By 

J. F. Smith (Fort Worth, Texas) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Wired for Greed: The Shocking Truth about America's Electric Utilities (Paperback)

Who should read this book?
Curious consumers, elected officials, and procurers of electricity in both public and the private sector are its audience. The book describes the structure and behavior of an industry that affects us all.

Sufficient history is reviewed to provide a framework for understanding the unusual relationship between, utilities, consumers, corporations, regulatory agencies and outside influences.

The electric utility industry has a far reaching effect yet one of which most of us remain ignorant. No more! Seeber and Moore confirm that monopoly is the worst enemy of good management. They unveil the activities of an industry that has maintained control via the sales pitch of natural monopoly, to (self) regulated monopoly, and through deregulation and hope for a more competitive industry. The book abounds with examples of behavior of an industry that is truly "shocking."