Allow Little Guy Into Energy Market

* Paul Richins Jr. (“Electricity Deregulation Was Doomed From Start,” Commentary, Dec. 21) offers a succinct analysis of the problems we face in our energy market. He points out that the power-generation industry has few competitors and that the barriers to entry are high. One way this could be addressed is to require the first purchase at market rates of excess power generated by green mini-generators such as solar- and wind-powered systems. This idea has proved effective in Maine. California has a much better climate for this technology. Consumers could make individual investment choices about electricity, and we could all share in the benefit of this investment.

Green power is now competitive with electric rates, but only if individual generators are freed of the cost of energy storage. By allowing the little guy into the market we could make the market more stable and efficient. In the short run someone would lose if the market was truly opened to competition. In the long run all honest players would gain. Perhaps we have all the large-scale generators we need, if only we could encourage investment in small clean-energy systems. Before we spend billions on old-model solutions, let’s think about all the alternatives.

JOSEPH A. SCHWARTZ

San Luis Obispo

* In light of the current energy crunch, we will be dispensing with our electric menorah and resort to the old-fashioned candles. Additionally, my wife and I will only be giving the kids toys that are mechanically powered, thereby reducing our electricity bills and the noise level in our house.

One more thing, we are also considering churning our own butter.

RICH SIEGEL

Culver City

* Under Gov. Gray Davis’ remarkable stewardship of the electricity crisis, California may well shortly achieve an enviable status previously held only by such paragons of modernity as Liberia, Mozambique and the old Soviet Union: power rationing. And I thought Davis wouldn’t deliver on his campaign promise of a “new style of leadership.” Well, I’d better get this e-mail off before PG&E; turns off my computer.

RUSSELL BURGOS

Thousand Oaks