To the editor:

Who would regulate the proposed city of Bainbridge electric utility?

Did you know that a private power company like Puget Sound Energy is regulated by two government agencies? They are the Washington Utilities & Transportation Commission (UTC) and the Federal Energy Rates Commission (FERC).

Every capital improvement proposal and proposed rate change and complaint is analyzed by qualified experts on the UTC. PSE must submit a biennial Conservation Plan. The most recent plan was

355 pages in length.

PSE must also file reports and answer to the FERC on proposed high-voltage service and supply.

By contrast, municipal electric power organizations, such as that proposed by Island Power, would not be subject to state regulation. Rather, as with the water and sewer utility run by the city, any oversight would be provided by the entity itself.

An electric utility is a complex organization. Would you prefer an experienced state-regulated agency staffed with electric professionals, or a newly created entity set up to regulate itself through three appointed/elected commissioners? How many professional staff would be needed to fill the void once the UTC and the FERC are out of the picture?

I would want our regulator to remain as is — the UTC and FERC — that are staffed with experienced utility professionals.

DAVID MACKENZIE

Bainbridge Island