Because of their investment in long-lived assets with little value in alternative uses, special attention to meeting the terms of the regulatory compact is appropriate. This need not always take the form of full-blown rate casesâthere are more targeted tools as well. Targeted and formula-based...

Given the current state of electric utility creditworthiness, it is reasonable to question whether the industry is "ready to roll" from a financial perspective, and to ask what, if anything, should be done about that. Part of the answer will be to find ways to improve the credit quality of the...