This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Bruce Wayne [Batman]: And you are?

Edward Nygma [Soon to become The Riddler]: Nygma. Edward Nygma. You hired me personally. We've never actually met, but your name was on the hiring slip. I have it.

I worked for Warren Buffett for four years. Well, sorta. I was an editorial writer for The Buffalo News, back when that was the only newspaper the multi-billionaire owned. I never met him.

Since then, Buffett has bought several other newspapers, carefully picking publications that dominate their mid-size markets and giving them hope that, with a deep-pocketed owner who personally likes newspapers, they might have a chance of negotiating the evolution of news from print to pixel. For him, like everyone else, it's a work in progress.

One thing Buffett has not, to my limited knowledge, tried to do to support his investment in newspapers is to try to destroy the online news and advertising business that has been eating out the traditional sustenance of journalism.

Now, George, why would you even think such a thing?

In addition to those legacy news outfits, Buffett's portfolio also includes some legacy electric utilities, including Rocky Mountain Power, through its parent, PacifiCorp, as well as Nevada's NV Energy.

As outlined in this story from Bloomberg Businessweek, NV Energy had its way with Nevada regulators to restructure the state's electric billing regime so as to destroy the upstart rooftop solar energy companies, including the one led by another American rockstar investor, Elon Musk. (The story was just called to my attention, though its from back in January. Since then, the state has backed off a bit, grandfathering in solar rooftop users who already had their systems in place before the new rules were imposed.)

Who owns the sun? — Noah Buhayar | Bloomberg Businessweek

"Warren Buffett controls Nevada's legacy utility. Elon Musk is behind the solar company that's upending the market. Let the fun begin. ...

" ... Buffett got into utilities in 1999. While many investors chased the latest Silicon Valley IPO, he bought a nice electric company in Des Moines. Building power plants and maintaining the grid offered almost endless opportunities to reinvest cash, which he had a lot of. And, as a monopoly providing an essential service, the local power company wasn't going away anytime soon. Owning utilities isn't 'a way to get rich,' he later said. 'It's a way to stay rich.'..."

If that all sounds familiar, that's because such grandfathering is the opening position of Rocky Mountain Power as it also seeks to basically destroy the rooftop solar business in Utah.

Or so says Utah favorite son Robert Redford.

Solar Power Must Continue to Be Affordable — Robert Redford | For Time Magazine

" ... Despite near-universal support, the solar energy industry continues to face unnecessary obstacles to widespread adoption. In particular, Americans who power their homes with solar energy have unwittingly become targets of utility companies. ...

" ... In Utah, my home for over 40 years, a similar battle is playing out now as the utility, Rocky Mountain Power, is proposing to quickly and dramatically increase rates for rooftop solar customers. For the average customer, the proposal could add nearly $15,000 of additional costs over the life of their rooftop solar system, virtually erasing any economic benefit they might derive from their investment. If we let these increases go into effect, some predict the residential solar industry in the state will be decimated and Utah, one of the sunniest states in the nation, will become one of the least solar friendly states. Many of us are worried solar jobs in Utah could be lost at even more dramatic rates than Nevada.

"We can't afford to repeat the mistakes of the past and punish citizens who simply want to save money and help the environment at the same time. For solar to become a mass-market energy source, it must remain affordable for Americans. ..."

And another new-generation online money man, Utah's Jonathan Johnson.

PSC should reject Rocky Mountain's solar plan — Jonathan Johnson | For The Salt Lake Tribune

" ... Solar is one of the fastest growing industries and job creators in Utah. It generates $313 million of economic benefit for Utahns and employs more than 4,000 individuals.

"RMP's proposed new rate structure will destroy this burgeoning industry in our state. ..."

There's an old African proverb about how when the elephants fight, it's the ants that get crushed.

But maybe, when these rich and famous folks fight, some of us normal folks might benefit.