In Consolidated Edison Co

question 114

Multiple Choice

In Consolidated Edison Co. v. Public Service Comm., the New York utility commission ruled that the electric company could not send its customers information in support of nuclear power. The Supreme Court held the commission was:

• A) correct; the customers were a captive audience that could not avoid the information
• B) correct; the utility is regulated by the state, so any expenditure of funds can be controlled
• C) correct; nuclear power is a political issue, discussions may be limited by firms affected by public policies
• D) incorrect; the utility has a First Amendment right to discuss political issues
• E) incorrect; no government agency may impose restrictions on the speech of private parties

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Definitions:

Criminal Violation

An act that breaches the laws governing society, subjecting the offender to legal sanctions.

Cost-Benefit Analysis

An economic school of jurisprudence in which all costs and benefits of a law are given monetary values. Laws with the highest ratios of benefits to costs are then preferable to those with lower ratios.

Legal Change

An alteration in the existing law or the creation of new laws, potentially affecting various aspects of society and individual rights.

Efficiency

The ability to accomplish a job with a minimum expenditure of time and effort.