11.   A bill sponsored by state Sen. Dede Alpert, D-Coronado, would allow the Independent System Operator to refuse to buy power if it is too expensive.

12.   A complex system that allows customers to bypass their local utilities and buy power directly from other sources functioned flawlessly.

13.   A drop in buying power in those countries will also diminish imports from China.

14.   A federal agency turned down a request by an upstate New York utility to get out of its high-cost contracts to buy power from independent producers.

15.   A federal law requires utilities to buy power from small plants built in their service areas.

16.   A small wage increase adjusted for nonexistent inflation represents a real improvement in buying power.

17.   A strong peso helps stocks retain their value and raises earnings of companies that sell products in the local market by boosting consumer buying power.

18.   A strong peso helps stocks retain their value and raises earnings of companies that sell products in the local market by boosting Mexican consumer buying power.

19.   According to the original agreement the local government had promised to step in and buy the power or compensate the companies that built the plant.

20.   After that, Boston Edison can buy power at auction from any power producer and resell it to those customers choosing to stay with Edison.