The New Republic features Tom Casten and asserts that utility regulatory changes are needed, even after a carbon cap

The New Republic argues that if the U.S. is to become more efficient and obtain more clean power we must reexamine the century-old model of having regulated utility monopolies supply electricity from large, centralized power plants. Author Bradford Plumer acknowledges that change to the current inefficient system will not be easy, largely because of the political clout of utilities. He notes that federal climate legislation and a price on carbon would be helpful, but he worries that it “could cement the status quo in our antiquated, maddeningly inefficient power sector.” He further notes that utility lobbyists ensured that the House-passed climate legislation reflects “a fairly parochial, utility-centric view of how best to move to a low-carbon future.”

The article also profiles Tom Casten’s efforts — and the barriers he confronts — to increase the efficiency of generating heat and power.