My name is Michael Wright. My colleague, Mark Coeburn, and I enjoy reading your articles in Electric Light & Power on a monthly basis.

We have seen several publications comment on devices that have the potential of replacing power companies by generating electricity for individuals who own this particular product, whatever it may be. We have found these articles very interesting, especially since we both work for Florida Power Corp., Florida`s second largest utility.

In particular, we found a one-page advertisement in USA Today from the Friday, Sept. 17, 1999 issue, which caught our eyes with a heading of "Tired of High Electric Bills...How About NO Electric Bills?" Basically the ad described a machine which will provide free electricity for the rest of our lives plus a few other free energy ideas.

At the bottom of the ad was a listing of shows that will be given in many different cities across the USA. Since there was not a show in Orlando area where we live, we were unable to attend any of them.

We would very interested in your comments and thoughts on this revolutionary yet unbelievable machine, which could put us out of work along with every other utility employee in the world. Given the incredible claims made in the article, we are both very skeptical about reality of this machine.

Thanks for your time and consideration. We hope to hear from you soon.

Michael J. Wright & Mark E. Coeburn

Relay Design Engineers

Florida Power Corp., Maitland, Fla.

We looked into the company that placed the USA Today ad, and found your skepticism to be well founded. Doing business as United Community Services of America (www.ucsofa.com) and the Tesla Society (www.teslaelectriccompany.com), a self-described ex-convict named Dennis Lee purports to have developed technologies for generating free electricity. One such technology supposedly collects neutrinos in a manner similar to photovoltaics to generate voltage.

Mr. Lee claims his inventions have been blocked by all major manufacturers, fuel companies and the U.S. government because they would disrupt their economic well-being. Thus he embarked on a national road show to demonstrate the technology and collect good money from the trusting yokels who buy into his "free electricity" pitch.

P.T. Barnum would be proud.

-MTB