Well, individuals do exactly that for Internet and TV. But I am talking about individuals joining a co-op that handles it. One that has buying power of many i

Well, individuals do exactly that for Internet and TV. But I am talking about individuals joining a co-op that handles it. One that has buying power of many individuals. The co-op would own the last mile, so it not a duplication of the entire network. With no duplication of the main distribution lines, we are more vulnerable to total outages. It would be better to have some duplication and competition. At least then I can switch. At least then there is an incentive for a utility to be resilient. As it stands now, PG&E can blows up a neighborhood due to its poor maintenance of gas lines and get a rate increase! And the neighborhood cannot switch away from the utility that killed many of its people. I live in a condo and we have an HOA that buys many services for all of us. It saves the individual a lot of time and money. For utilities in California, we have a government body that regulates prices, but its become clear that it is somewhat in bed with the industry, which often happens. I'd rather have choice than a monopoly regulated by people who are not aligned with the interests of customers.