Although some may think 6 hours of travel time to attend a meeting that probably didn't last an hour is a waste of time, yesterday's trek to PJM's TEAC meeting proved invaluable from an observation standpoint.  It's just as well that there wasn't anything particularly PATH-etic on the agenda, because analyzing the dynamics at work here was much more interesting.

What is PJM, why do their member utilities fear them, and why does PJM think they are invincible?  We know PJM is a cartel of electric utilities who are tasked with managing the regional electric grid system.  The idea of it may have sounded good on paper, but FERC has created a monster!  Since corporations are reveling in their recently-granted personhood, let's treat them accordingly.  After observing the way PJM and its members interact, I'm now seriously worried about the lights going out at any second while this dysfunctional little family gets lost in their destructive behavior patterns.

PJM plays the role of tyrannical parent.  The member utilities play the role of scared little children with varied levels of aggression.  The tyrannical parent makes decisions based not on the good of the family as a whole, but as a reward system for the more aggressive of the children.  These aggressive children receive their rewards with the understanding that they must remain in their subservient role to the parent, while simultaneously dominating the meeker children, in order to continue to receive the tyrant's approval.  Dysfunction Junction, without compunction!

PJM believes they answer to no one and have become bolder and bolder in their favoritism and illogical decisions.  When an action that is obviously illogical to family outsiders is taken, the family closes ranks.  The bolder of the meek, powerless children who are negatively affected by the action may ask an ineffectual question or two, but the tyrant is not to be questioned and does not even afford the courtesy of a proper answer.  Silence ensues and the action is accepted and any opposition is swept under the rug.

I observed one member utility ask several questions regarding actions favoring another proposed project over its own, only to be stonewalled by Herling, whose lips were moving, however nothing of substance was coming out.  It sounded a lot like Miss Othmar here.  The member utility finally gave up and suffered in silence.  None of the other members voiced an opinion.  Just because this method works for Herling in this venue doesn't mean it works in the real world the rest of us inhabit.  There were many other instances where PJM's contradictions or illogical actions were questioned, only to be handled in the same dysfunctional manner.  Specific rules or operational procedure that might curtail some of this dysfunction are not permitted to exist at PJM.  Although lip service is given to creating some, I don't think anyone seriously expects that to happen because then the dysfunction would cease to exist, and it seems like both PJM and its members revel in their oppressive, screwed up dynamic.

Why all these corporate "persons" are content to suck up to an unfair, hated tyrant instead of banding together to conquer their oppressor escapes me.  I guess they have spent so much time in the company of their little dysfunctional family that being tossed a crumb or two on occasion while watching their favored siblings feast at the all-you-can-eat buffet is better than not eating at all.  Dumb.  And the end-use customers are the ones who pay for it all.

Fortunately, Dysfunction Junction really isn't invincible at all and it seems that at least one of the citizen opponents has scented blood on the wind and has taken a particular interest.  I'm going to pay it forward and say about this person... "I'm glad you're on my side!" 
This person also sees a lot of parallels between Dysfunction Junction and and this video.  I agree! "The world is mine!"  :-)