The in-state utilities would buy the power and pass it on to their customers at no added cost.

These producers even get a guaranteed market - big utilities must buy it whether or not it's needed.

During shutdowns, the utility must buy more power from outside sources.

In 1991, the utility bought the bus for $158,000 to test its electrical system demand and performance.

Maine is the first state to help a utility buy an independent power plant.

The utilities in Ohio bought 660 acres three miles away, which will be connected to the plant by a private road.

Then they came up with this really neat idea - have the utility buy the power at the full retail rate.

A bill passed by Congress last week allows utilities greater latitude to buy one another.

American utilities have bought British companies in part to learn from the experience of losing monopoly control over customers.

And every utility must buy power at some point, to meet peak demand on hot summer days.