"Bill Evans" wrote:

Perhaps yesterday's, continuing massive power
failure will convince the power utilities that
they should focus their energies and resources
on their core business, rather than entering a
new business (snip)

(snip) critics...told by the grid operators
(power companies) that there is no money to
fund such a massive infrastructure overhaul."

Why would regulators, politicians and the power
companies' shareholders be interested in
spending billions of dollars entering a new
business when they obviously have major
challenges in their own backyard. (snip)


It's very simply, Bill. BPL offers far more potential profit than further
investment in existing infrastructure does.

Besides, power companies aren't really bothered by the occasional power
outage, especially since angry consumers can't go elsewhere to get power.
The companies lose a little money while the power is off, but they know
consumers will crank up those heaters and air conditioners just as soon as
the power comes back on - pretty much making up any loses from the power
outage itself.

On the other hand, the potential money from BPL is enough to get those
companies, and their investors, really excited. And, unless we come up with
something really strong to fight it, something much stronger then rhetorical
evidence from the UK, it is going to be almost impossible to stop.

What we need is well done studies from the areas where BPL is now being
tested - studies showing the actual impact on radio (frequencies, noise
levels, and so on). And, to be honest with you, I'm not even sure that will
be enough.


Dwight Stewart (W5NET)

http://www.qsl.net/w5net/