Economic Death Spirals: Part I By Dave Harbour Economic Death Spirals are never pleasant and can vary in impact.  As a former utility regulator, I was always on the lookout for potential utility death spirals, for their impact could bankrupt utility investors, make utility rates unaffordable for consumers and/or threaten the lives of those dependent on life sustaining heat, light, water and sanitary services.  A utility death spiral can strike when rates become too high for consumers to afford.  In such a case, fewer consumers can pay for the service.  [...]