06-03-2013, 02:58 AM
Socialist this, socialist that. Name-calling is hardly useful, along with less than useful blanket assertions about government screwing up anything it touches.
Our direct experience for nearly 20 years with the Cowlitz Public Utility District in southwest Washington State (http://www.cowlitzpud.org) gives the lie to your blanket assertions. We found them an active and progressive organization that not only provided excellent service and fast repairs, but had an excellent vision of both conservation and improving their infrastructure. Our rate paying went directly to covering actual costs of service and improvements. We were never were concerned about our money filling some CEO's oversized pockets or spending on dividends instead of service.
In addition, the PUD purchases power from the Bonneville Power Administration, another government entity well known for the reliability of its service. My father-in-law, who worked for the private Spokane water power company for most of his career also had a very jaundiced view of public power supply, even though he was a strong union man. Probably listened to a lot of company propaganda. However, when the they retired to Wenatchee, Washington, which also has a PUD (and power from Bonneville) supplying the county, and they experienced the low rates (compared to Spokane) and great service in setting up their retirement home, he changed his tune very quickly and became a great proponent of PUDs.
So if we get to set up a PUD-like structure to supply electricity on Hawai'i Island, I'm all for it.
Our direct experience for nearly 20 years with the Cowlitz Public Utility District in southwest Washington State (http://www.cowlitzpud.org) gives the lie to your blanket assertions. We found them an active and progressive organization that not only provided excellent service and fast repairs, but had an excellent vision of both conservation and improving their infrastructure. Our rate paying went directly to covering actual costs of service and improvements. We were never were concerned about our money filling some CEO's oversized pockets or spending on dividends instead of service.
In addition, the PUD purchases power from the Bonneville Power Administration, another government entity well known for the reliability of its service. My father-in-law, who worked for the private Spokane water power company for most of his career also had a very jaundiced view of public power supply, even though he was a strong union man. Probably listened to a lot of company propaganda. However, when the they retired to Wenatchee, Washington, which also has a PUD (and power from Bonneville) supplying the county, and they experienced the low rates (compared to Spokane) and great service in setting up their retirement home, he changed his tune very quickly and became a great proponent of PUDs.
So if we get to set up a PUD-like structure to supply electricity on Hawai'i Island, I'm all for it.