Identification of Bacillus Coagulans from Agricultural Soil

Identification of Bacillus Coagulans from Agricultural Soil Introduction Soil is a common substance that is found almost everywhere in the world and is home to a diverse community of microorganisms, especially for bacteria. Bacteria are so common in soil that surface soil can be home to 108 to 109 bacterial cells per gram of dry soil (Prescott et al., 1999). This quantity of bacterium in soil, however, decreases deeper into the subsurface of the soil. There are small variations in bacterial quantity in subsurface layers, but the surface layer is always the most numerous in quantity (Weaver et al., 1994). This is because these bacteria prefer the smaller soil pores (2 to 6 ÃŽ ¼m in diameter) that are more commonly found in surface soil. This is likely a method to avoid being eaten by protozoa (Prescott et al., 1999). As small soil pores are common habitats for bacterium, and soils contain higher concentrations of CO2 and CO, with lower concentrations of O2, many of these bacteria have developed the ability to grow in microaerobic or anaerobic conditions (P rescott et al., 1999). Although bacterial quantity is plentiful in the surface layers, it is common to find relatively few bacteria of the same species. Rather, there is much variation in the species of bacterium cohabitating in these soil layers (Weaver et al., 1994). As a diversity of bacteria brings a diversity of metabolic pathways and nutrient fixation, this proves beneficial for plants and insects that live in the soil and rely upon the nutrients produced by these bacteria (Weaver et al., 1994). Through isolation, culturing, and testing of agricultural soil bacterium, this lab attempted to isolate and identify a single species of bacterium from agricultural soil. Methods A 10-2 dilution in distilled water was created using 1 g of agricultural soil. From this dilution, a TSA streak plate was made and incubated at 22Â °C for 48 hours and then chilled at 4Â °C until further analysis could be preformed (Egger 2010). From this streak plate, a single culture was chosen to be sub-cultured on a TSA streak plate and was incubated as above. This culture was also gram stained and observed under microscope. The bacterial cell dimensions were calculated and cell shape and arrangement were recorded. The bacterial subculture was then observed for colony morphology. Individual cells were then tested for starch hydrolysis, H2S reduction and motility, ammonification, nitrification, denitrification, oxygen tolerance, and for catalase production (Egger 2010). Further testing was then performed to determine optimal growth temperature, osmotic pressure, and pH. Temperature testing was done at 4, 22, 37, and 50Â °C; osmotic pressure testing done at 0, 0.5, 2, and 5% NaCl; and pH testing was done at pH 3, 5, 7, and 9 (Egger 2010). Data from tests were pooled and used to determine the possible identity of the unknown culture. Results The streak plate of dilute agricultural soil revealed a large quantity of different bacterial colonies varying in colour, shape, size, texture, and elevation. After isolation of a single bacterial culture, there was little to no variation in these characteristics. This single bacterial culture revealed a circular form with a flat elevation and a rough texture. The colour was observed to be clear to white in colour and translucent in appearance. Further observation under microscope revealed staphylobacillus approximately 40 ÃŽ ¼m in length. Gram staining and testing for starch hydrolysis, and nitrification all turned out positive, while testing for H2S reduction, motility, ammonification, and denitrification all proved negative, which is further outlined in Table 1. This bacterium was then determined to be a facultative anaerobe with an optimal temperature of 37Â °C, optimal pH of 7, and optimal osmotic pressure of 0.5% NaCl. It was also observed that there was little growth at 5% NaCl and reasonable growth at pH 5. Discussion As the bacterium isolated in this experiment was rod shaped, gram positive, and catalase producing, it is likely that this specific bacterium belongs to the genus Bacillus (Butler 1986). Determination of the specific species of Bacillus proved more difficult. As this bacterium was able to hydrolyse starch, was a facultative anaerobe, had an optimal growth temperature around 37Â °C, and an optimal pH around 7, the possibilities were narrowed to either Bacillus coagulans or Bacillus licheniformis (Butler 1986). Although B. licheniformis is common to most ground soils, there proved to be a few common factors that supported the greater plausibility of this specific bacterium to be B. coagulans. The isolated bacterium was unable to reduce nitrate to nitrite and was unable to grow significantly in a NaCl medium of 5%. As B. licheniformis is capable of reduction of nitrate to nitrite and growth in 5% NaCl medium, it is unlikely that this unknown bacterium was B. licheniformis (Butler 1986). It was also noted that the unknown bacterium was capable of growth at pH 5, which is a characteristic of B. coagulans (Butler 1986). Specifically, B. coagulans has been recorded as having an optimal pH of 6 and a minimum of 4.0-5.0 depending on specific stra ins (Butler 1986). In order to further verify that the unknown bacterium was B. coagulans, it would have been beneficial to test the bacteriums ability to hydrolyse casein and gelatine as B. coagulans cannot hydrolyse casein and gelatine while B. licheniformis can. It would also have been beneficial to further investigate growth in 7% and 10% NaCl to further verify the identity of B. coagulans if growth did not occur. Unfortunately, not all tests that were performed were useful in the identification of the specific species of the unknown bacterium. The tests were useful, however, in determining genus. As the genus Bacillus was reasonably simple to identify based on the rod shaped bacterium and catalase production, some of the tests, such as the test for H2S reduction were not as useful as others, such as the test for catalase production. If the unknown bacterium did prove to be B. coagulans, this would be an uncommon isolation as B. coagulans is not common in soil (Butler 1986). For this reason, there is little information recorded on B. coagulans ecological role in soil. It would be advised that further investigation into the ecological role of B. coagulans should be performed as, although uncommon, B. coagulans is still a soil bacterium and must therefore play an ecological role in soil. It may also be beneficial to further investigate B. coagulans as it is a common additive in medicated creams and antacids (Butler 1986). This is because of the possible pro-biotic benefits of B. coagulans in the gastrointestinal tract, although these benefit claims have been questioned as to their validity in recent years (De Vecchi and Drago 2006). There has also been a recent study that suggests that application of B. coagulans to arthritic joints may cause a decrease in pain and a reduction in disability of these joints. Althoug h, these are preliminary studies, and the function of this pain relief is unknown, there is significant reason to peruse B. coagulans as a treatment for rheumatoid arthritis (Mandel et al. 2010). Although the unknown bacterium is likely B. coagulans there were possible sources of error. A major source of error could have come from the gram staining process. There was a possibility that the stain was not rinsed with ethanol for long enough, which would have caused retention of the dye in the cell wall of the unknown bacterium. This would have lead to a false positive for gram staining. If this was true and the unknown bacterium was gram negative, this would indicate a possibly different genus and definitely different species. Although errors could have lead to misidentification of the unknown bacterium, based on the data collected, it is most likely that the unknown bacterium isolated was B. coagulans. There was no reason to believe that the isolated colony was contaminated with different species of bacteria, and testing lead to a conclusive identification of the unknown bacterium. From this it is reasonable to say that the objectives of this experiment were met.

Big five Personality Traits and Effective Leaders Essay

Q.1) What do you think Terry Leahy’s personality traits are for each of the Big Five dimensions of personality? Identify and justify with reference to the case. Q.2) Considering the 9 narrow personality traits required of effective leaders, how would you rate Terry Leahy on all these 9 narrow traits (i-e which ones he rate high, medium and low)? Why? Justify? Q.3) The first weakness he mentioned was his â€Å"Irish Temper†. Explain and justify whether Terry Leahy has a bad temper or not. Q.4) Is Terry Leahy really modest. How do you remain that modest in spite of the success and the accolades? Does this man have no Ego? Q.5) What type of Self concept does Terry Leahy have and how does it affect his business success? Does Terry Leahy posses a theory X or theory Y attitude? Q.6) According to McClelland’s Achievement motivation theory, which of three needs Terry Leahy rates high, medium and low on? Justify. Q.7) According to the 3M Leadership competency framework there are 12 competencies required of effective leaders (i-e 1) Ethics and Integrity 2) Intellectual Capacity 3) Maturity and Judgment 4) Customer Orientation 5) Developing People 6) Inspiring People 7) Business health and results 8) Global Perspective 9) Vision and Strategy 10) Nurturing Innovation 11) Building Partnerships and Alliances 12) Organizational Agility). Considering the above 12 competencies for effective leaders which ones Terry Leahy good at and which ones he is less good at and Why? Q.8) Effective Leaders need to have skills and take actions on three different fronts i-e as strategists, as architects and as mobilizers (both internally and externally). Working through the case how would define Terry Leahy’s role as a strategist, as an architect and as a mobilizer. Q.9) What evidence is there that Terry Leahy’s leadership has evolved over time? How has he developed his career? Q.10) Identify some of challenges (or dangers) facing Terry Leahy today and in coming years.

Emergency Representative Support Groups Resource Pamphlets

Implementation Expeditiously Implementable Solutions Additional Specialized Duties for Designated Steward/ Representative Support Groups Resource Pamphlets People Union Leadership will be responsible for assigning these duties as required Employees and members of local #713 with experience in psychology support groups, or similar systems Specialized representative in conjunction with union leadership with input from union members Time Designate duties to appropriate member within one month of project approval Notify Members of support group one month after appointment of representative, hold 1st meeting 1 month after, and every week thereafter Provide 1st pamphlet within 2 months after approval, new pamphlets every month Tools Email, print†¦show more content†¦Goal to have first union member special meeting with facility management within 6 months of project approval Tools Email Proper communication Equipment Computer, Work space N/A Necessary Processes Create surveys in email format or through an online survey site, and email surveys or links to site for members to complete Garner buy-in from facility management to work together to solve this problem that negatively affects all parties involved. Budget $0, resources already possessed by union or provided by the facility $0, resources already possessed by union or provided by the facility Functional Area Human Resources Leadership Timeline Financial Impact The union is solely funded by membership dues. Each member in local #713 pays $18.55 per bi-weekly paycheck, or $482.30 a year. Current there are 1,000 unit bargaining

Creationism vs - 1206 Words

Creationism Vs. Evolution in Today’s Society The dispute between creationism and evolution is a long debated controversy. It is an argument most people choose to avoid. This debate is extremely controversial due to personal belief, most in part due to secularism and religion. Even with the exponentially increasing knowledge of today, it has remained a long fought controversy throughout the twenty-first century. Science deals with the mind, and is the backbone of modern civilization. Religion deals with emotions, and often teaches people invaluable ethical principles. Both Science and Religion are vital in our culture in order for humanity to progress. In order for society to progress, children should be taught about both evolution and†¦show more content†¦Additionally, there is a growing movement promoting the teaching of intelligent design which asserts that the only reasonable explanation for the complexity of the world and of the human mind is the existence of a higher power. Another strong argument in the favor of Creationism is the possibility of a living organism forming from non-living things. This transition is very complex and has not been solved in the scientific community. Religion, however, has been shown to cause significant damage to the brain. â€Å"In March of 2012, Amy Owen and her colleagues at Duke University conducted a scientific study on the effects of religion to the brain. They evaluated the MRIs of 268 men and women aged 58 and over. The results showed significantly greater hippocampal atrophy in individuals reporting a life-changing religious experience. In addition, there was an even higher rate of hippocampal damage in born-again Catholics and Protestants. The hippocampus is the central structure of the limbic system that is involved in emotion as well as in memory formation† (Newburg, 2011). What this studied concluded is†¦? A very important factor in the debate is the importance of skepticism. One of the most important tasks of the educational system is to let children develop into independent individuals with an ability to question and critically evaluate any idea presented to them from their parents, other authorities, and their social surroundings. Therefore, theShow MoreRelatedCreationism Vs. Creationism : Creationism And Creationism2371 Words   |  10 PagesLunden Wright 5th Period English 10-Beasely Date Creationism vs. Evolutionism â€Å"In religion faith is a virtue; in science it’s a vice† (Jerry A. Coyne). There are many debates between creationism and evolution. Creationism is the belief that a creator created the Earth. Many religions believe in a holy creator or creators. Creationists believe that the forged Earth was complete and never changed. 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While the creationist point of view, as well as the evolutionary perspective, hosts a great variation of opinion amongst its supporters, Christianity is brought to the center stage time after time (Vuletic, 1994). Literal interpretation of the Book of Genesis’ account of creation falls contrary to theRead More Evolution Vs. Creation ism Essay1323 Words   |  6 PagesEvolution vs. Creationism Abstract In the history of science vs. religion there have been no issues more intensely debated than evolution vs. creationism. The issue is passionately debated since the majority of evidence is in favor of evolution, but the creation point of view can never be proved wrong because of religious belief. Human creation breaks down into three simple beliefs; creation theory, naturalistic evolution theory, and theistic evolution theory. The complexities of all threeRead More Creationism vs. Evolution Essays1663 Words   |  7 PagesCreationism vs. Evolution This paper will focus on the huge controversy between Creationism and Evolution. I will provide two opposing viewpoints on this subject. First, the discussion will focus on the question of why many people believe that God created the universe and all living things. On the other end of the spectrum, scientific information will be presented that substantiates the evidence against the existence of God. This creationism counter-argument known as evolution has itsRead MoreCreationism Vs Intelligent Design Creationism1474 Words   |  6 Pagesthere is a perpetual debate on whether creationism and intelligent design are valid alternative theories that should be embodied within the curriculum of science classes. ‘Through local school boards, sympathetic politicians, and well-funded organizations, a strong movement has developed to encourage the teaching of the latest incarnation of creationism—intelligent design—as a scientifically credible theory alongside evolution in science classes.’ Creationism is the rejection of evolution in favorRead More Evolutionism Vs Creationism Essay1050 Words   |  5 Pagesactivities other than survival. In 1859, Charles Darwin published the Origin of Species, and since then, people have debated between the creationism and evolutionism theories. The theory of evolution has been supported only through various religious writings, particularly the Bible. nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;Creationists believe in a divine creator, God. Creationism has a broad range of beliefs involving a reliance on God’s miraculous work to explain the origin of the universe, of life, and of theRead More Creationism vs. Evolution Essay1158 Words   |  5 Pagesnbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;Where we come from is a question as old as mankind itself. There are countless numbers of religions, each with their own twist on the origins of earth and mankind, but one of the most highly visible debates would be creationism vs. evolution. Depending on where your beliefs lie, the Earth has been around somewhere in the neighborhood of 6,000 years to 4.5 billion years. One would tend to believe that this vast difference in time would make it impossible to have 2 â€Å"theories†Read MoreCreationism vs. Evolution Essay1170 Words   |  5 Pagesthinkers such as Galileo, Copernicus, Bacon, Descartes, and many others who challenged the biblical assumptions with empiric ally deduced scientific theories. The Catholic Church had a nasty habit of persecuting such ideological dissent toward creationism, calling it heresy and thereby somewhat suppressing a complete upheaval of the Scriptures. For many centuries to come, the scientific research grew and developed into theories like the Big Bang and evolution, though primarily in places where suchRead MoreCreationism vs. Evolution Essay1349 Words   |  6 Pages Creationism is the theory that man, the earth, and the rest of the universe was originally created rather than randomly exploding from nothingness into chance existence. We reside on the surface of a small superbly crafted, autonomous self regulating space vehicle. Together with survival, conquest and death we bear witness to beauty, fragrances, love and music. Think about this. Mathematics, philosophy, springtime, depravity, farming, courtship, quasars, and iphones; all came from nothingness?,

The Treatment Of Breast Cancer - 1248 Words

Breast Cancer Surgeries that Involve Removal of the Entire Breast A modified radical mastectomy – during this procedure, the surgical oncologist removes the entire cancerous breast, the lining that rests above the chest muscles as well as most of the patient’s lymph nodes that are located under her arm. In addition, patients may also need to have a portion of their chest wall muscle removed. A total mastectomy (simple mastectomy) – during this procedure, the oncologist removes the entire breast. During the same surgery (or after), the oncologist may remove some of the lymph nodes that are located under the patient’s arm. These lymph nodes are collected so that they can be biopsied. A separate incision is required to obtain these samples. Other Types of Mastectomies A Nipple-Sparing Mastectomy The surgical oncologist’s job is to remove all of the cancerous breast tissue; subsequently, Dr. Gershenbaum’s task is to reconstruct the patient’s breasts so they appear as natural-looking as possible. By having an experienced surgical oncologist and reconstructive surgeon, the chances of a successful outcome, without compromise is greatly improved. While Dr. G can reconstruct the patient a new nipple and areola, the preservation of this area during a mastectomy (when it is feasible) is beneficial to the patient’s final aesthetic results. Once complete, some nipple-sparing reconstructions resemble the results achieved through a cosmetic breast augmentation. The surgicalShow MoreRelatedBreast Cancer Treatment1620 Words   |  7 PagesBreast Cancer Treatment Breast cancer is turning to be one of the top killer women in the world. This kind of cancerous tumor is attacking breast tissue of woman. 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Why We Write Free Essays

Have you ever stopped in the middle of what you were doing and just asked yourself: â€Å"What am I doing?† This isn’t a philosophical or existential question. While trying to write this essay, I find myself asking â€Å"What exactly am I doing?† The obvious answer would be writing, or struggling to. But as my mind, like an insatiably curious child, started asking an endless stream of â€Å"Whys† and â€Å"Hows† I became more aware of this act that seems to be taken for granted. We will write a custom essay sample on Why We Write or any similar topic only for you Order Now Writing is so ingrained in our human society and our lives that we barely even notice it or care to think about its significance. Yet it would be almost impossible for us to live without it. That is because writing is a physical and visual representation of language; it is a form of communication. Writing is a practical necessity that allows us to connect with each other and share our thoughts, and it is also a means for cultural and artistic expression. Through writing we can pass down and communicate knowledge from one generation to the next, which is a fundamental factor in the progress of human society. How did it all start? Oral language developed tens of thousands of years ago when our early ancestors began living in communities and the need for coordination and communication arose. Written language, however, was created much later in the cradle of human civilization known as Mesopotamia. The existence of civilization entails the appearance of cities and long-distance trade, and finding a way to communicate over great distance became necessary for humans. As evidenced by discovered pieces of clay with pictographs on them, the traders and merchants of the city-states of Sumer discovered writing to coordinate their trade. As with oral language, written language may have developed out of a practical necessity, and has since proven to be useful and important in our human society. Even in our contemporary times we still use writing for pragmatic purposes when we want to communicate information to others. We have been doing it for the greater part of our lives, and even something as simple as texting a friend constitutes writing. Texting is an example which shows that through a visual manifestation of language we can communicate with others and overcome the limitations of time and space. But we don’t communicate through writing for practical reasons alone. We also communicate to share the unique inner workings of our creativity. Literature is a prime example of that. It can reflect our innermost passions, ideas and values as well as those of a particular culture. Through literature, writing is intricately woven into our lives as a form of personal, artistic and cultural expression which has the capacity to change and influence society. We read and analyze written works created hundreds of years ago to observe the impact that they’ve had on societies of different times and places. Take for example the writings of the ancient Greek poet Homer, the author of the now classic epic poems The Iliad and The Odyssey. It does not take an in-depth literary analysis to understand that the cultural values of the ancient Greeks were high reverence to their gods and the divine laws. In both works it is repeatedly shown what befalls those who disrespect and disobey any of the gods. For instance, when King Agamemnon refuses to release the captured Chrysies, the daughter of a priest of Apollo, the sun god descends from Mount Olympus to rain pestilence on the Greek army. It is thanks to writing that these epic poems, formerly passed down through oral tradition, have reached us and allowed us to better understand the society and values of the ancient Greek civilization. However, there is no rule that an author’s writing should necessarily reflect their culture. There are works of writing that are the personal expression of the author and can serve as critiques of the current societal values and as innovations in literature. Many writers are actually pioneers in this sense, inventing new genres or challenging the status quo. Mary Shelley, at just 19 years of age, had created one of the world’s first science fiction novels, Frankenstein, and pioneered a genre. Emily Brontà «, on the other hand, challenged the social norms of her time with Wuthering Heights. These examples illustrate that writing is not only a means of cultural or self-expression but an act of constant innovation. The authors’ works do not only show the beliefs of their society during those times, but also criticize those beliefs and serve as a push during the transition between time periods. And even today these are relevant and popular works of art which allow us to analyze the values and norms of the past and to see how the ideas of these writers have influenced and changed our world. These cultural and personal expressions have withstood the test of time and reached all the way to our present day world. It is thanks to the development of writing that we now have a practical way to communicate our thoughts and our creative ideas to each other. And as we saw with the literary examples, communication through writing transcends the boundaries of space and time. Innovations and discoveries that were made hundreds of years ago and far away from us are now within our reach because writing has been an essential factor in the preservation and communication of human knowledge over the centuries. Writing has been crucial for the accumulation and innovation of human knowledge. By preserving and communicating information over the generations we learn from the discoveries and inventions made in the past and strive to improve upon them to better our world and future. We enjoy the luxuries of today thanks to the pioneering and innovating work of the great minds that came before us. Our world is shaped by the ideas and discoveries of the past which are woven into our society thanks to the development of writing. As I draw to the end of this essay, I find writing even more fascinating than ever before. In essence, writing is like a river that carries human experience, knowledge and wisdom forward in time, but it also allows us to look back to our past. Thanks to it we have experienced and learned about ideas, sciences and arts which have existed hundreds of years ago and far away from us. Writing has allowed us to express ourselves and share our beliefs about the world. It has given us the opportunity to gaze upon the reflection of our world, and to strive to make it better than what it was. Right now we stand in the middle of a vast infinity. What the generations of the future will learn about us and our legacy will greatly depend on our writing now. How to cite Why We Write, Papers

Electric Deregulation Essay Research Paper In the free essay sample

Electric Deregulation Essay, Research Paper In the past electricity pricing was controlled by ordinance. The roots of modern twenty-four hours ordinance can be traced all the manner back to the late 1800 # 8217 ; s and found in the signifier of antimonopoly. By the beginning of the twentieth century, the U.S. authorities had formed many regulative committees. The chief end of these regulative committees was to make a sensible rate construction that would be appealing to both manufacturers and consumers. While this system has worked for many old ages, it finally came under heavy unfavorable judgment. Many people wanted unfastened competition among electric power manufacturers. Although this was one time believed to be an impossible proposal many provinces have accomplish it. Massachusetts is merely one province where statute law applied to make competition among electric power manufacturers is non merely favored by the people of the province, but has besides provided important rate decreases as good. The term ordinance refers to authorities limitations on houses? determinations over monetary value, measure, and entry and issue. Each factor of an industry must be regulated for manufacturers and consumers to truly benefit. The control of monetary value does non intend puting one fixed monetary value, but involves the creative activity of a monetary value construction for buying electricity during extremum and non-peak times. The control of measure refers to the authorities # 8217 ; s try to command the sum produced. For illustration, in the electric industry, it does non do sense to hold a batch of little power workss produce electricity. However, at the same clip one company can non be allowed to monopolise the industry and set monetary values at its ain discretion. Another factor in this job is the control of entry and issue in the electric industry. By commanding who can come in the industry, the authorities can command who produces the electricity and how much of it they produ ce. The effort at modulating monetary value in the electric industry is a complex 1. The thought is non merely to minimise the cost to consumers, but besides to make a rate construction that will lure the electric company to stay in the industry. The regulative committee wants the electric company to hold a ground to introduce so that they will be able to supply cheaper power in the hereafter. However, if the committee captures all additions from invention in the signifier of lower monetary values, so the electric company has less incentive to set about any type of invention. Therefore, a via media must be reached which would supply equal inducements for houses to set about cost-reducing actions while at the same clip guaranting that the monetary value for consumers is non inordinate. When the effectivity of ordinance started to be questioned there began an development to a more competitory market. Ever since the Public Utility Act of 1935, which created the Federal Power Commission was passed into statute law, the inquiry has ever remained: has electric ordinance made a difference? Major surveies conducted throughout the twentieth century found conflicting consequences. A survey published in 1962 conducted by Stigler and Friedland compared the monetary value of electricity in provinces with ordinance to the monetary value in provinces without ordinance. However, at the clip all provinces had electric ordinance, so Stigler and Friedland had to travel back to the 1920 # 8217 ; s and 1930 # 8217 ; s to happen provinces without ordinance. They found what they had expected. In 1922, the mean monetary value of electricity was 2.44 cents per kilowatt-hour in provinces with ordinance. However, in provinces without ordinance, the mean monetary value increased to 3.87 ce nts per kilowatt-hour. Stigler and Friedland controlled the analysis of other variables to do certain that monetary values did non vary for grounds other than ordinance and found that they didn? T. Some differing critics felt that this survey was done in a clip when ordinance was merely acquiring started, and that regulators in the present twenty-four hours are more effectual. Two other surveies, which found different consequences were those conducted by Meyer and Leland and another done by Greene and Smiley. In Meyer and Leland? s survey, which used informations from 1969 and 1974 they utilized econometric estimations of demand and costs to happen conjectural unregulated monetary values. Their decision was that the regulated monetary values were significantly lower, but that even lower monetary values were demanded. In a similar survey conducted by Greene and Smiley, they found that unregulated monetary values were 20-50 % higher than existent regulated monetary values. Although th ese surveies seem to make decisions that support ordinance, the alternate determination by Leland and Meyer that even lower monetary values were demanded seems to be an indicant towards unfastened competition among electric manufacturers. Soon thenceforth, the tendency toward competition between electric manufacturers began to emerge. The transition of the Energy Policy Act in 1992 created the first agencies of competition among electric companies by giving the authorities power to order companies to # 8220 ; wheel # 8221 ; power from one company, over their ain lines, to another company. In 1990, there were over 3,000 electric systems in the U.S. entirely, and most of them were publically owned. However, the 267 in private owned public-service corporations accounted for 71 % of the sale of electricity. Besides, most of these in private owned public-service corporations own the power workss, the substations, the transmittal lines, and the distribution systems. Having in most topographic points merely one local company commanding coevals, transmittal and distribution created local monopolies. This jurisprudence allowed other companies to come into the market. These companies didn? Ts have to command all three separat e facets of the electricity industry ; they could concentrate on merely one or two. They would besides supply lower monetary values since now they were viing for their clients. It was besides easier to come in the market because the lines were already at that place and the new companies were allowed to utilize them. This jurisprudence didn? t do much for the person but it helped out larger industries. Soon after statute law such as the Massachusetts Electric Utility Industry Restructuring Act was signed into jurisprudence November 25, 1997, and upheld with the transition of Issue 4 in the general election on November 4, 1998. This piece of statute law has allowed single consumers to take their power provider, and has led to decreased monetary values without ordinance. The Massachusetts Electricity Law was developed over three old ages with input and support from consumer advocators, little concerns and big employers, energy suppliers and experts, labour and environmental groups. The chief aim of the new jurisprudence was to let Massachusetts consumers to take their electricity provider by interrupting up the public-service corporation monopolies, and making competition that will take to take down rates in the hereafter. Under the new jurisprudence, local electric companies still ain and maintain the wires that bring the electricity to places and concerns, but consumers are now able to take the company that provides the electricity they use. The distribution of electricity remains regulated to guarantee dependable service to all consumers and to put distribution rates based on cost and public presentation, non at market monetary values. However, competitory power providers whose monetary values for electricity are non regulated now provide the coevals of electricity. In add-on to interrupting up the public-service corporation monopolies, the new jurisprudence besides provides electricity rate cuts to consumers while they choose which company to purchase their electricity from. The rates were guaranteed to drop 15 % , with 10 % coming by March 1, 1998 and another 5 % oc curring by September 1, 1999, and the jurisprudence provides a rate cap to lock these lower rates in for old ages to come. The jurisprudence besides provides the chance to extinguish gross revenues revenue enhancement on electricity transmittal costs for non-industrial concerns, salvaging this sector an estimated $ 30 million a twelvemonth. The jurisprudence besides created a 10 % rate price reduction for husbandmans and others in the agricultural industry. Therefore, under the new system, your local electric company still delivers electricity to your place or concern. However, you can buy the electricity from the local company at the guaranteed minimal rate decrease, or you can take to purchase your electricity from another viing provider if you decide that company offers better rates. In add-on to take downing rates and leting consumers to take their power providers, the new jurisprudence besides provides many other footings designed to protect the consumer. The jurisprudence requ ires all competitory power providers to be registered with the province Department of Telecommunications and Energy, and besides requires the providers to go on to supply dependable service. The jurisprudence besides prohibits providers from exchanging a client to a different provider without the customer’s consent. The jurisprudence besides creates rate decreases for low-income consumers, such as senior citizens on a fixed income. Equally good as supplying for these consumer protections, the jurisprudence besides entices economic growing within the province by take downing the cost of making concern through lower electric rates. This lower cost of making concern due to take down electric rates will promote new employers, both big and little, to travel into Massachusetts, every bit good as promoting bing concerns to remain. In fact, in the period of clip the jurisprudence has been in consequence, it has spurred the prognosiss of new occupation growing, and in the old ages in front, is expected to make 1000s of new occupations throughout Massachusetts. However, even though the jurisprudence seems to hold many more benefits than it does negatives, it has come under recent unfavorable judgment. Many oppositions of the jurisprudence feel it is non making its designed intent, and consumer recoil was so great that at one point there where inquiries of whether or non the jurisprudence should be repealed. An organisation called # 8220 ; The Campaign for Fair Electric Rates # 8221 ; , backed by failed congressional campaigner John O # 8217 ; Connor and consumer advocator Ralph Nader, led the attempt to revoke the jurisprudence, naming it # 8220 ; the biggest consumer heist in Massachusetts history # 8221 ; . The large issue involved in the attempted abrogation was lawgiver traveling back on their promise to protect consumers by leting public-service corporations to retrieve 100 % of their bad investings. Because deregulating will do some public-service corporations to lose money on investings in power workss or on contracts they made when they expected to maintain selling power at a regulated monetary value, the inquiry becomes do they merit compensation for these # 8220 ; stranded costs # 8221 ; , which may near $ 200 billion nationally? For case, public-service corporations spent more than $ 5 billion constructing the Seabrook atomic works in New Hampshire, which produces 1,150 megawatts. In contrast, private developers have proposed more than 50 new workss, which combined would bring forth 30,000 megawatts, and the cost of these undertakings is estimated at somewhat more than $ 15 billion. The public-service corporations argue that public regulators approved those disbursals and that the province can non endorse out on them now, saying that many workss have already begun to set into action the new jurisprudence, including selling most of their power workss. Revoking the jurisprudence now, they argue, would make arrant pandemonium. Therefore, a proviso was written into the jurisprudence leting for public-ser vice corporations to retrieve all of their isolated costs over a 10-year passage period. While advocates of the jurisprudence were trusting for a 30 % rate decrease, of which two-thirds would hold come from consumers non holding to pay for most of the public-service corporations stranded investings, they will now hold to settle for a guaranteed 15 % rate cut, hopefully with more to come through competition. The inquiry now on everyone # 8217 ; s head is: has the jurisprudence served its intent and decreased electric rates? In a survey done by Standard and Poor # 8217 ; s DRI entitled # 8220 ; Economic and Environmental Analysis of the New Massachusetts Electricity Law # 8221 ; , released on September 2, 1998, it found that the new jurisprudence has triggered # 8220 ; significant economic and environmental benefits # 8221 ; . Harmonizing to the survey, electric rates will worsen by about 28 % by the twelvemonth 2010 as a direct consequence of retail competition and industry restructuring. The DRI predicts that consumers will salvage $ 470 million in 1998 entirely, and increases that estimation to at least $ 550 million per twelvemonth in future old ages as a consequence of the new jurisprudence. Besides, the survey predicts the Commonwealth to accomplish higher economic end product and employment growing triggered by the estimated $ 10 billion consumers and concerns will salvage on electricity costs. By 2010, there will be over 60,000 more occupations, a $ 19.6 billion addition in consumers # 8217 ; cumulative existent discretional income, and lower monetary value rising prices. All of this prediction appears to set the jurisprudence in a favourable visible radiation, but many want to cognize how it # 8217 ; s working now. Harmonizing to the Massachusetts Electric Company, its 970,000 clients have saved a sum of $ 67 million on their electricity measures in the first six months of the new electricity jurisprudence. On September 1, nest eggs for the company # 8217 ; s clients increased to more than 15 % , or a entire nest egg of $ 25 million per month, one full twelvemonth in front of the needed rate cut. This was due to the company # 8217 ; s affiliates selling their power workss. Therefore, by analyzing the early consequences of the new jurisprudence, along with projections such as the 1s provided by Standard and Poor, one can find that the deregulating of the electric industry has been long delinquent.