Geothermal Heating: Penetration of Utility Monopolies
- Key words
- Regulatory; USA; Intergrated Resource Planning; Legislation; Externalities; District Heating; Washington; Nevada; Colorado; Operating Permits; General; Monopoly Positions; Pagosa Springs; Colorado
- Conference
- Geothermal Resources Council Transactions
- Year
- 1986
- Session
- Direct use; District heating/cooling; Space heating/cooling;
- Language
- English
Abstract
A threshold issue in the development of geothermal heat supply systems is whether the system can penetrate existing utility monopoly service areas. The question is applicable to both single and multiple user/district heating systems and arises vis a vis competition with both private and public utilities. Special concerns related to the antitrust immunity of local governments are generated where the invaded utility is publicly owned. Reference to legal decisions in the natural gas arena is illustrative of the issue. Several state have addressed the problem with legislation.
Copyright 1986, Geothermal Resources Council. Readers who download papers from this site should honour the copyright of the original authors, and may not copy or distribute the work further without the permission of the original publisher.