Self-assessment or public debate? evaluating the liberalisation of network services in the EU and USA

The latest PSIRU report shows that independent evaluation of performance
of network industries is needed more than ever.

The report, commissioned by EPSU, clearly disputes the Commission's
claim that: "consumers benefit as market opening leads to better
performing network industries."

Ideological conviction that liberalisation must work has blinded the
Commission to much of the evidence pointing to the contrary. The PSIRU
critique details for example the negative impact of electricity
liberalization in USA, showing clearly that from 1996-2006 the
electricity price gap between regulated US States (low price) and
deregulated (high price) has increased steadily.

The PSIRU critique supports the case that independent, transparent and
participative evaluation of the Network industries, through the
establishment of a 'Network Industry Observatory', is needed more than
ever.

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