That and slamming consumers is what the power companies do (here in New Zealand). See the commerce commission report (2009 - and there have been large price increases since) that found profits unreasonably high. http://www.comcom.govt.nz/dmsdocument/192
Also a kiwi here. Read the summary and it said the commission closed the investigation. Looks like every thing was legal, just the power companies maximising profits. Exactly what companies should do.