I have always been rather suspicious about the supposed benefits of monopolies - public or private ones - but our experiences with building has really shown just how ridiculous and frustrating they are.  In a monopoly, there is no need or requirement (other than a PR one, which only seems to hold true for advertisements, not real life interactions with customers) to actually do anything for one’s customers.  Status updates?  Time estimates?  Eh, why bother.  We’ll get around to it whenever we decide to do it, so long as you don’t ask too often and annoy us.  In that case we’ll stick you at the bottom of the pile and pigs will fly before we get to your application.

Matt and I have really been amazed by this when dealing with the county and with PG&E.  We filed for a permit and power at about the same time in June, and with both entities no one will return your phone call, no one will give you any sort of estimate, and no one particularly wants to talk to you.  Then we contrast this with the propane company, who will show up in three days with a propane tank, and send out someone to talk to you about your future tank placement and piping needs.  When we’re ready for the bigger tank and piping, they’ll be there in no time at all to install it and get it all ready for us.  Need some tractor work done?  How about two weeks from now - I’m really busy at this time of year, but I’ll try to get there sooner if I can.  Concrete poured?  Sure, next week is great, we’ll be there first thing in the morning.  Granted, PG&E has a lot more infrastructure issues than any of these guys, but still, all they need to do is review our plans, ok a 500′ trench, let us dig it and lay some pipe, approve it, then pull some wire.  And for this service, which we will wait months and months for, we will be charged thousands and thousands of dollars.  *sigh*  It is enough to make me start wondering if we should take those thousands of dollars and buy some solar panels and batteries.