Power / Utility companies like to create “crises”. It pays well.
Or maybe the utilities need govt approval to build the pipelines and it hasn’t been forthcoming?
They are regulated utilities and don't make any higher percentage of profit, crisis or not. Their profit percentage on sales is limited by law and the state PUCs set prices, not the utilities. All things considered, the gas utilities in New England would rather sell more gas than less.
They also have 'universal service mandates' imposed on them. If they screw up and don't provide service, they can be fined heavily.
Also understand that the utilities only distribute the gas locally. They buy the gas from transmission companies, and the transmission companies have not been able to expand their long distance pipelines in New England. No one wants a new pipeline in their neighborhood. Hence, demand and total available supply are becoming dangerously close. One or two breakdowns could cut off supply for millions.
It is a fundamental infrastructure problem that needs to be addressed.
“Power / Utility companies like to create “crises”. It pays well.”
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3098829/posts?page=24#24
Crisis doesn't pay as well or as steady as simply selling more energy.
It's government that likes the crisis, utility companies like the steady. Politicians need to get re-elected, and promising to solve the current crisis (that they caused) is a good campaign issue.