John Oliver on the power of US utility companies: ‘The only game in town’

John Oliver: ‘Our utility system largely consists of for-profit companies, with monopolies over an essential service, building as much shit as they possibly can so that they can pass the cost onto you on your electric bill.’ Photograph: YouTube

On Last Week Tonight, John Oliver tore into the utility companies that have near-monopolistic control over the US power grid, which set high prices and are prone to scandal. “Just Google your utility company right now and the word ‘scandal’, and chances are they’ve gotten into some major trouble,” he said on Sunday evening. “It’s basically like Googling your local Jimmy John’s and E coli, or the name of your favorite teacher from high school and January 6. You’re not going to like the results that you find.”