Another 300 have arrived since. A second thing we know about electric industry restructuring is that there will be winners and losers among the utilities, which will become subject to acquisition or liquidation, and among some of the states if a natural equilibrium price is established. Among customers, too, there will be both winners and losers. A third thing we know is that reliability will be jeopardized. First on July 2 and again on August 10, high load factors on 345-kilovolt transmission lines, coupled with tree limbs' interference, caused serious power outages.
Transmission is sensitive.
Fifth, we know that commercial nuclear power has unique characteristics that make those plants especially vulnerable to re-regulation. Embedded costs will create above-average stranded assets. Nuclear waste problems will become more urgent as plants are decommissioned. Investment in research and development will be eliminated to cut costs. Finally, restructuring industries in the name of competition does not guarantee lower prices.