Historically producers and consumers of electricity focused on cost and availability – This has been the historical challenge for energy producers and consumers alike.  Businesses wanted access to cheap electricity in order to be competitive.  Residential consumers wanted cheap electricity in order to improve their standard of living.

Key to achieving the objectives of both groups was access to cheap fuel and capital – Access to cheap fuel and capital has been the historical approach energy providers in the United States have taken to meet the objectives of both of the above-mentioned groups.  Public Service Commissions were created to provide a means to make cheap capital available to utilities; provide a reasonable rate of return to utilities and provide the lowest possible cost of electricity to energy consumers.

Environmental issues were of lesser importance – While the sources of fuel have changed over the years, coal became the fuel of choice during this period for much of the country.  During deregulation, natural gas became more important.  The reasons for this shift were greater access to natural gas, solutions to the changing conditions of financing power plants and the greater importance of environmental issues.

Climate change and global warming are changing the equation – As climate change and global warming became more important the equation started to change.  This came about due to recognition that fossil fuels are an important cause of climate change and thus global warming.  The key issue will society absorb in order to meet the environmental challenges.