No competition - Letter to the Editor, Check your Facts!

Alabama overall has lower power rates than most of the U.S.

What if you win the argument on "dueling utility bills"? Others before have tried to persuade with that silly argument.

The discussion should be about who sets those rates in the entire Tennessee River Valley and when do they have the suthority to raise electricity rates?

Answer: The TVA, a federal agency, an unelected body who sets its own unassailable rules as to electricity rates over all of TVA's 80,000 square mile territory and without further notice determine how much and when to raise those rates.

For North Alabamians, there is no choice as apparently there is in the Arlington, Texas area. And, yes, look for another rate increase right around the corner.

But there is some really good news on the near horizon. A huge technological breakthrough has happened in solar power costs. One well-known sage said solar rates kilowatt for kilowatt would be comparable in five years.

Meanwhile, individual consumers can do their own investigation of cost alternatives. I really like the idea of a slow-moving electric meter.

Ernest Norsworthy
emnorsworthy@earthlink.net
http://norsworthyopinion.com
http://norsworthyattheshoals.blogspot.com

quote:

What if you win the argument on "dueling utility bills"? Others before have tried to persuade with that silly argument. The discussion should be about who sets those rates

In a duscussion of cheapest rates, why should it matter whos ets the rates?

I'm all for privatization of TVA and exploring alternative sources of energy but the original poster is right: TVA rates are among the lowest in the nation and the letter to the editor author was clueless.