Many state public commissions have deregulated their utility markets. However, evidence of welfare or efficiency improvements under deregulation is ambiguous. It is also unclear why different states adopt consumer choice, price caps, sliding-scale plans, or retain rate-of-return regulation. This...

This study evaluates the role of reelection motives of state public service commissioners in the recent trend of deregulation in the gas distribution market. Competing-risk hazard models are used to explain when and which regulatory regime – retail restructuring, price cap or sliding-scale...

Causes and consequences of deregulation and restructuring in utility markets in US states continue to draw heated debate. It is unclear why different utilities choose retail restructuring, price caps or sliding-scale plans. Various economic and political reasons lend themselves to explaining...