Pennsylvania is currently having a debate over whether or not it was a good decision to deregulate our state’s electricity services. Supporters of deregulation believe that allowing competition for regulated electric companies has improved things for ratepayers in the Keystone State.

But in reality, thanks to deregulation, Pennsylvanians are paying more for electricity because there is not enough of it. Let me explain.

Electricity into a commodity

Deregulation began in the late 1990s, when our state decided to turn electricity into a commodity and end the system where utility regulators oversaw a single utility. In the old model, regulators — appointed by the Governor — ensured the system produced an adequate supply of power, required that the electric grid was maintained, and determine

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