Keep the DMV out of electric business

In Hugh Bailey’s column last Sunday, he seemed to agree with Sen. Chris Murphy and other politicians that a so-called publicly owned electric utility was a better option for Connecticut than the privately owned but publicly regulated system now in place.

Even though we were largely bypassed by Hurricane Henri, he referred to last year’s severe power outages caused by Isaias, and others 10 years ago in 2011-12. However, he neglected to mention that for the past 10 years, our current system worked remarkably well.

During that period, we were able to have our homes and offices comfortably heated or cooled by electricity. Oil or gas burners will not work without electricity. When we get up in the morning, we are able to turn on the lights, take a shower, use the refrigerator, make breakfast, charge up phones, and even electric vehicles without a thought.

People may complain that our electricity rates are higher than other areas, but compared to what we pay for internet, phone or cable TV, the cost of indispensable electricity is remarkably cheap. Nevertheless, we take it for granted and complain about the profits and salaries of people who provide us with electricity.

Moreover, why would a public utility be any more immune to a devastating hurricane than a private one? In private companies if you do an outstanding job, you get a bonus. If you mess up or underperform, you get demoted or fired. That cannot and does not happen in the public sector.

Our electrical system is working but Bailey and politicians like Murphy still want to fix it. Perhaps they think it should be run like the Department of Motor Vehicles. Do they remember when Governor Malloy appointed an incompetent party hack to run the DMV?

Frank DeStefano

Fairfield