How would "competing electrical grids" work? You'd run a new set of lines for each company to their own power plant? Every house would need to replace their end run if they switched power companies? Would everyone need their own set of poles, or would someone have a monopoly on that infrastructure?
Each power (or power distribution) company runs its own set of lines. States or cities could regulate right-of-way for utility paths the same way they manage traffic rules. Linking to your other comment, Japan has competing rail systems that mostly serve complementary routes but sometimes share space at stations. (though the government subsidizes JR and they are an oligopoly on the national scale)
Large thoroughfares could be duplicated in places where space is not at a premium. The issue comes as it gets closer to your house. It's not reasonable to have more than one set of power poles approaching your house. And trust me you only want to have to to that last-mile maintenance once after a storm.
How would "competing electrical grids" work? You'd run a new set of lines for each company to their own power plant? Every house would need to replace their end run if they switched power companies? Would everyone need their own set of poles, or would someone have a monopoly on that infrastructure?
Each power (or power distribution) company runs its own set of lines. States or cities could regulate right-of-way for utility paths the same way they manage traffic rules. Linking to your other comment, Japan has competing rail systems that mostly serve complementary routes but sometimes share space at stations. (though the government subsidizes JR and they are an oligopoly on the national scale)
Large thoroughfares could be duplicated in places where space is not at a premium. The issue comes as it gets closer to your house. It's not reasonable to have more than one set of power poles approaching your house. And trust me you only want to have to to that last-mile maintenance once after a storm.