The U.S. Public Utility Policies Act an appraisal

The Public Utility Policies Act (1978) is aimed at optimizing the efficiency of electricity production by encouraging the development of cogeneration, optimum use of fossile fuels, and use of facilities using renewable energy sources. The key feature is the obligation for american electricity utilities to purchase electricity from qualified facilities at an advantageous price for the latter. Between 1978 and 1986 this Act was responsible for the production of 24,000MW. Problems have occured (price misevaluations, under-use of utilities plants) but nevertheless, it has enabled cogeneration facilities to be developed