My analysis so far has outlined an economic and technological process pushing markets towards consolidation. It is difficult to think of this process as either good or bad. Nevertheless, deciding the value of matters such as this is a large part of what Commissioners do. Unfortunately, these developments are likely both an opportunity and a threat, both good and bad. Consolidation offers a major opportunity for the systematic infrastructure renewal that much of the nation requires.
Infrastructure needs new investment, energy companies have cash and engineering skills.
I am most familiar with the water industry. Every part of the water infrastructure is aging. Water pipes have a useful life of 50 to 100 years yet most utilities have programs that will replace pipes on average after 200-500 years. Other have no plans. Energy companies have the cash, skills, and size to rebuild the aging water infrastructure.