Government does not nor should subsidize power infrastructure. The users of the electricity pay the full cost, not tax payers in other areas. What the government did do in electrical power was require every customer be served, guarantee a profit and restrict competition. The government regulates what can be charged. But if you don't use electricity in that area, you don't pay for electricity in that area.
Natural Gas Distribution is done the same. Natural Gas Transmission lines do not have even this protection.
Of course you are technically correct and THE authority on all things “energy” on FR, however the government does and did facilitate the electrification of America though its power to “regulate”, “guarantee a profit” and “restrict competition” to privately owned power companies, which was and is a good thing resulting in tremendous improvement in the standard of living for all Americans. Also, the TVA owns, funds and regulates the electric power serving a large chunk of the nation. Select so-called “green power” private operators are directly subsidized by the federal govt as well, whether we like it or not.
I get your point that government should not pick winners and losers but government does do it. My gripe, as an investor in the little companies related to NatGas as a transportation fuel, could use some help from the government. May I have some cheese with that whine? Thanks for playing ...
Cheers,
Otter