Energy companies going bust

[Marco]

well I don't think that scenario is even remotely likely, but if it were then they could just as easily make the private energy company cut you off as do it themselves, there's no additional protection afforded by the fact that the billing company (as that is all they are) is privately owned. Within the scope of the Emergency Powers Act (1964) the Government can already effectively do whatever they want.

If you were really concerned about something like that then you would never have got a smart meter as that makes it a doddle to cut you off. One click of a mouse. To cut me off without cutting off the whole neighbourhood as well then they have to come out and dig up the street.

I don't disagree. And as I've said before, we had a Smart meter installed for valid reasons, which so far has served US well (in terms of being more able to monitor and control what we spend, thus saving us money), not just 'them', but of course I totally accept your point.

My main point though, is that I'm fundamentally against empowering the government any more than is absolutely necessary (as that power is often abused by those at the helm with selfish and destructive agendas), and instead where possible and practical, giving more power to the people.

I want to live in a country where the focus is on allowing folk to live how THEY choose to LIVE, with the right infrastructure in place for successfully achieving that, not how the government would rather they 'existed' instead!

Marco.

[spendorman]

It seems strange that the government lets the big energy companies take over the small ones, but would not let Sainsburys take over Asda.

[Marco]

Strange, or simply ultimately in their best interests?

Marco.

[spendorman]

Perhaps I should have said contradictory instead of strange.

[Marco]

Yes, but think about who owns Sainsburys and who owns Asda, and any likely prevailing agendas.

Marco.

[Marco]

Oh and, btw, in terms of this:

f you were really concerned about something like that then you would never have got a smart meter as that makes it a doddle to cut you off. One click of a mouse.

Not if you have solar panels installed (which we'll be getting)... The fuckers can't switch off the sun!

Marco.

[spendorman]

Domestic electric dumb meters read real power, and so do smart meters, but I believe that at the click of a mouse the smart meter can read apparent power, This means that when the suppliers decide to do that, the cost will go up again. This is all to do with Power Factor. I hope that someone can explain this better than I have.

[guy]

Usually I'm not but in the case of water and power I am. And passenger rail services too for that matter.

Water and power are essentials so shouldn't be run for profit and no-one in the history of the world has ever run a genuinely profitable passenger rail service, any profits made come from government subsidy, i.e out of our taxes.

I don't consider myself "Socialist" BUT; I feel very strongly that re-nationalisation of water, power and railways are a necessity.

Current "crisis" with energy suppliers going bust has a lot to do with dodgy management - group sets up "energy company", gets as many customers as possible by offering low/uneconomic rates, once it has lots of customers, sells off company/shares, makes lots of money
Now they have been caught out by fast rise in gas prices they want "government" (our money) to bail them out of their failed money making scam

[Marco]

Hear, hear!

If it were up to me, I wouldn't allow the private business model you've described to trade, thus exist. Instead, it would be MADE to be financially viable/stable, whilst also serving the needs of the consumer.

So the answer is to do the private thing BETTER, and more logically and efficiently than before, not give up on it altogether and put things in the hands of the bloody government!

Oh, and I'm not socialist either, or indeed any other 'ist', aside from 'humanist'

Marco.

[mad-moon]

Don't talk to me about 'Krankie'; she's dead to me (as they say in the mafia) now that she's brought bona fide vaccine passports into force in Scotland. In fact, most of her behaviour throughout this pandemic has shown her true (authoritarian) colours, and if I were in Scotland I certainly wouldn't be voting for her, as I would've done once!

Marco.

I've said it before and I'll say it again... They are all the fucking same...fucking LIARS....It won't be long until you don't have anyone to consider voting for Marco...because one way or another, they are all going to piss you off...