But American utilities are only now beginning to roll out broadband connections on their grid.

Under the plan, the major utilities could sell off some of their generating plants and begin buying power instead on a competitive wholesale market.

The utility, which had slowed appreciably, began gathering speed once more.

Already, he said, some utilities have begun scaling back programs to make plants and office buildings more energy-efficient.

Three utilities are beginning to use the control to adjust the thermostats of homeowners, with their permission.

In 1994, the utility began a program of strategic sourcing to reduce costs.

In 1995 the utility began to make small profits, which increased substantially after 2000.

The new utility began a modernization process and began to improve its performance.

But the solution could not last long, and now the utilities have begun the big dig.

Many utilities began to cancel plans to build nuclear plants.