The difference is important in the way we should pursue public policy.
Power companies make their money mostly from domestic coal and nuclear and have more political power at the state level. They are literally wired all over a state, providing jobs throughout. Oil companies profit mostly from foreign petroleum and sway more political power at the national level. They also provide fewer company jobs in most states. Gas stations are mostly franchises and local owners and employees are much less affiliated with the corporate name than electric power company employees.
Both power and oil companies are widely disliked for their high prices but oil companies are also disliked for their unhealthy connection with terrorism, both indirectly funding the terrorists, via Soudi Arabia and aggravating them by requiring US troops be deployed in Muslim holy lands to protect our oil interests.
My point is, oil companies are significantly less of an obstacle at the state level, which is why we should be promoting the advancement of biofuel initiatives to make progress and advance the efforts to reduce climate change, eliminate our dependence on foreign oil and reduce our trade deficit.
Power companies have many states locked down from pursuing efficiency and conservation policies because it directly affects their bottom line. Biofuels can be sold at the same rate of profit without hurting oil companies and there is very little oil industry in most states to get in the way anyhow. A biofuel industry has the added political benefits of providing new cash crops, new jobs and stimulating local economies.
Farmers in our dying tobacco belts need new crops and people are more willing to stick it to Saudi Arabia than Dominion Virginia Power. Once we make progress with energy crops for biofuels, it will be a great deal easier to get better people elected who will vote for better energy policy with conservation, efficiency, wind, solar etc.
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