I lived with Public Utilities since the 30's and never once ran short, except due to storms and the like.
I'll tell you what's even more necessary than electricity and highways -- food and clothing! I don't trust those corporate Enron types with those! We need to create one big huge farm monopoly and have them submit five-year plans. Same with the department stores. We need one big chain -- lets call it Gum. They can bring in the very best products at the fairest prices. If they come up short on inventory people can just line up.