Liquor and Electricity

A commonality between the two is that they’re both state-sanctioned monopolies. Monopolies create price disequilibrium, generally to the disdain of consumers. For those interested in spirits, a trip to the ABC store will show you a glittering store of over-priced liquid.  Some argue that the regulated business keeps sales low and revenues high, and that this is a good thing.  John Hood argues in the Asheville Citizen-Times that these competing interests underlie the incoherence of the state’s ABC policy. For electricity costumers, government-involvement in the decision-making of the business can lead to high costs through regulations and mandates. Recently, NC passed a law that requires utilities to generate at least 7.5 percent of their electricity from renewable resources. And that’s not even half of the damage. Daren Bakst, with help from research intern, Geoff Lawrence, wrote a Spotlight on the bill. Both spoke with Lockwood Phillips.  Daren went solo with Matt Mittan in Asheville and Danny Fontanna in Charlotte on the same issue.