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tk2kewl

(18,133 posts) Thu Mar 15, 2012, 10:02 AM Mar 2012

Need solid examples of disastrous results of privatization of public works... [View all]

specifically sewage treatment and water treatment and distribution.

I just found out the county I live in is planning to sell or lease its sewage treatment plants and there is a civic association meeting about the plan being held tonight.

I will be googling but I know many of my friends here will point me in the right direction.

Thanks in advance for your help.

tk2kewl

Edit: here is the article about the county legislator opposing the plan: http://lynbrook.patch.com/articles/denenberg-calls-for-state-investigation-into-sewage-treatment-plant-privatization-proposal

55 replies

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Need solid examples of disastrous results of privatization of public works... [View all] tk2kewl Mar 2012 OP

I will add the results of my search to this thread as I gather them tk2kewl Mar 2012 #1

this looks like a good start tk2kewl Mar 2012 #2

Some links about water privatization failures SharonAnn Mar 2012 #27

Look to Canada's experiences - beware of Brubaker comments, though, she's a fascist blm Mar 2012 #3

thanks... i will check it out tk2kewl Mar 2012 #4

Privatization of public works is one Big Lie n/t meow2u3 Mar 2012 #5

well, may not be exactly what you're looking for, but Charter School proponent "White Hat zbdent Mar 2012 #6

similar path, thanks tk2kewl Mar 2012 #7

Here's an article about the City of Stockton's abortive attempt to privatize tularetom Mar 2012 #8

thanks tk2kewl Mar 2012 #10

Audit: Dominion Power overcharged customers $524M Blue_Tires Mar 2012 #9

UK has abundent examples as they privatised water, gas and rail and snagglepuss Mar 2012 #11

It's not possible to offer the very same service for the same kestrel91316 Mar 2012 #12

no doubt tk2kewl Mar 2012 #13

In such situations, the privatized asset generally earns a regulated or agreed to return on equity badtoworse Mar 2012 #22

Privatizers have an overwhelming incentive to raise prices and cut service... saras Mar 2012 #32

You need to do a little research on what a "regulated rate of return" means badtoworse Mar 2012 #34

"Regulated rate of return" means that someone, probably government, has the POWER to regulate... saras Mar 2012 #47

I've worked in the electric power business for 30 years and I know what I'm talking about. badtoworse Mar 2012 #48

But this is not how modern privatization is occurring. ieoeja Mar 2012 #51

How about citing some specifics badtoworse Mar 2012 #53

Enron is the mew model. Your work, like mine in making products last longer, is obsolete. saras Mar 2012 #55

This is the list of links I am going with for now, thanks to all who contributed tk2kewl Mar 2012 #14

this might help w8liftinglady Mar 2012 #15

Didn't Jefferson County Alabama go bankrupt, in part, from privatizing their sewer system? shcrane71 Mar 2012 #16

After reading the article, I get the impression that Jefferson County was at fault badtoworse Mar 2012 #21

Yeah, you're right. Looks like they took out a bond to pay for a sewer upgrade. shcrane71 Mar 2012 #24

A better framework is needed mathematic Mar 2012 #17

I agree... that was dumb reason to oppose privatization tk2kewl Mar 2012 #26

Enron...privitization of California's electricty... joeybee12 Mar 2012 #18

California's electricity was never publically owned. badtoworse Mar 2012 #19

+10, and the privatizers (Enron) laughed that Grandma wouldn't be able to pay her utilities. shcrane71 Mar 2012 #25

Pontiac has water contamination issues under United Water JHB Mar 2012 #20

Why are you assuming it will be a disaster? badtoworse Mar 2012 #23

I will always come from a point of view that says public works and public institutions... tk2kewl Mar 2012 #28

I'm a consumer and a taxpayer. I want to get the services I need at the best price badtoworse Mar 2012 #30

I am sorry you see yourself in such isolated terms as consumer and taxpayer... tk2kewl Mar 2012 #31

That is ridiculous and you are coming off as very naive badtoworse Mar 2012 #36

I guess we each see the world differently... tk2kewl Mar 2012 #40

We can agree on one thing badtoworse Mar 2012 #44

The self centered comment relates to the original premise that got us talking... tk2kewl Mar 2012 #45

If you give up public services to the private sector, you can't control how the ownership changes Erose999 Mar 2012 #35

See Posts 22 and 34 badtoworse Mar 2012 #37

Because every time something gets privatized Aerows Mar 2012 #33

If Alabama's water company is not regulated, I'd be very surprised badtoworse Mar 2012 #38

Everytime something gets privatized Aerows Mar 2012 #49

Why don't you try that again badtoworse Mar 2012 #52

Is it because of the demographic of the US, that it won't work as well Aerows Mar 2012 #50

Prisons for Profits Taverner Mar 2012 #29

It can go the other way, too. Oddly enough. Robb Mar 2012 #39

Different circumstances tk2kewl Mar 2012 #41

The first question that has to be asked is Horse with no Name Mar 2012 #42

that is a great talking point... thanks tk2kewl Mar 2012 #43

Except for co-ops, power companies in Texas were never publically owned badtoworse Mar 2012 #54

Google GM, trolleys, buses madokie Mar 2012 #46