Inside a Public Policy Black Box

Michael J. DeLor focuses on how the operation and regulation of private electric utilities has become complicated and contentious in the United States in part because of environmental impact. As a consequence, Congress rarely passes substantive economic-based legislation dealing with the topic, and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), as the primary federal economic regulator of private electric utilities, must often act without clear legislative guidance.

Michael J. DeLor

1. Study Overview 2. Theoretical Framework and Research Design 3. OPEC Oil Embargo Findings 4. Gulf War of 1990 to 1991 Findings 5. California Electricity Crisis Findings 6. Policy Making in a Complex and Contentious Policy Environment