Roundup Record Tribune & Winnett Times -

By Roger Koopman

Having served on the Montana Public Service Commission for eight years, I know something about monopolies. The main calling of the PSC is the necessary regulation of natural monopolies, electricity and natural gas utilities being the largest and most critically important of these.

Every school kid knows that monopolies aren’t a good thing. In every sense, they run counter to a free market economy, and if left unchecked, inflict much harm on the consuming public, the community, state and the nation. Where the free market invites vigorous competition, risk-taking, innovation and...