How do the Energy companies manage to rip us off so often?

Question

My theory...the old boy network...top leaders of industry are in cahoots with ministers...?...please comment

Answer 1

Privatisation has caused all this, money to be made and given to shareholders. Look at Thames Water, German owners, would not fix leaks because it was expensive, appx. £5,000.000 profit, then return to Germany and sell the company to Australians who will start again and still not mend leaks. Soeone just don't give a damn.

Answer 2

IMO the Utility companies are in cahoots with our local cities and state agencies. Those "franchise" taxes are a portion of monies which go to our local gov'ts.
We used to have a Regulatory Commission which worked for the rights of utility "customers", but in our State it was quoted to me that they make sure the Utility gets paid.
This is one of the few industries where the customer is forced to make sure the utility profits no matter what the loss of the utility.
After Katrina our electricity rates have increased almost 50 per cent. An average electric bill in an energy efficient home here is about 100.00 During peak usage about 300.00.
It is our local gov'ts who profit when they profit. The little guy, the CUSTOMER gets screwed.

Answer 3

Stop your whining you are a classical example of someone who has probably never left their hometown. I have traveled all over the world and I have seen the equivalent of $6.00 a gallon when doing the conversion, and this was in a country where the people were making a fraction of what Americans make.

So when I got back to the good old USA I counted my blessings. If we are being ripped off here most of the world is being mugged.

Answer 4

Privatisation was supposed to create competition. well it didnt
where else do you buy water but from your own company
All these company's now have a license to print money.Same goes for the pole tax!!!

Answer 5

all enterprise commodities are prone to abusive/excessive rates - they exist outside the domain of natural competition (ie: they are regulated), yet they are a prime investment vehicle on futures markets. it is incumbent on government to control commoditized costs, especially energy. first world nations should never subject their citizens to excessive energy costs - energy shortages are usually indicative of poor governmental strategy and planning.

Answer 6

They couldn't charge rates that you wouldnt' be willing to pay.

True or false?

Answer 7

Open market- supply and demand.

Answer 8

they have commodities we need to have - like petrol companies and supermarkets in general

Answer 9

Check this out...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=shkFDPI6kGE

Answer 10

because we let them..the people don,t vote in union.we need to all say noooo not paying that.