Overview
Dave Raskin authored an article titled "Getting Distributed Generation Right: A Response to ‘Does Disruptive Competition Mean a Death Spiral for Electric Utilities?’” for the Energy Law Journal. The article, published in the November issue, states that the electric utility industry is and will remain for many decades a necessary part of the economy and social fabric of the country, and therefore arguments that the industry faces a death spiral are exaggerated. Mr. Raskin writes that emerging technologies are likely to create competition in the future, but that no realistic substitute for reliable electric service from the utility grid exists today. He concludes that there is broad support for substantial investments in the electric grid to maintain and improve reliability, expand the use of environmentally preferable energy sources, and incorporate new technology. These investments can only occur if investors are confident that the regulatory process will continue to provide reasonable compensation to investors.