The power distributors are obviously corrupt, exploitative, unable to manage business in the DR, or all of the above. Does anyone not think that the result of the privitization has been an unmitigated disaster. With this said, should we ask whether the DR should consider re-nationalizing power distribution?
The benefits? Blackouts staged for strategic negotiation purposes would end. Rates could not be any higher. Collections could not be any worse. Life-line power (up to a limited number of kilowat hours per house) could be provided to poor barrios.
Rather than returning distribution to the CDE, a new quasi-public, non-profit corporation could be established. It would act with the public interest in mind, but be able to procure without government restrictions. It could hire international consultants to develop plans to improve efficiency and collections, and international technicians to help operate the system on a subcontract basis. It could use police power.
Disadvantages? Spain and the US would freak, resulting in all kinds of threats of economic retaliation. Foreign companies would demand damages. Financial markets would not approve, potentially impacting foreign investment in the DR. Transition period would be hairy. Even a quasi-public corporation would be subject to political pressure.
Other ideas? Maybe only threaten re-nationalization to knock the chip off the shoulders of Edencrook Norte and Edencrook Sul. Take advantage of the pending AES bankruptcy to launch a pilot program in the AES areas only. Offer vague promises of reimbursement to Edencrook and AES. Seek WorldBank help. Cry to the Spanish/US media.
Yes, I realize that any of the above would take 1000 times more skill, finess, intelligence, savy and cojones than Dominican politicians posess, and 1,000,000 times more than el maldito carbo could ever drum up. But how would it play out if it were tried?
The benefits? Blackouts staged for strategic negotiation purposes would end. Rates could not be any higher. Collections could not be any worse. Life-line power (up to a limited number of kilowat hours per house) could be provided to poor barrios.
Rather than returning distribution to the CDE, a new quasi-public, non-profit corporation could be established. It would act with the public interest in mind, but be able to procure without government restrictions. It could hire international consultants to develop plans to improve efficiency and collections, and international technicians to help operate the system on a subcontract basis. It could use police power.
Disadvantages? Spain and the US would freak, resulting in all kinds of threats of economic retaliation. Foreign companies would demand damages. Financial markets would not approve, potentially impacting foreign investment in the DR. Transition period would be hairy. Even a quasi-public corporation would be subject to political pressure.
Other ideas? Maybe only threaten re-nationalization to knock the chip off the shoulders of Edencrook Norte and Edencrook Sul. Take advantage of the pending AES bankruptcy to launch a pilot program in the AES areas only. Offer vague promises of reimbursement to Edencrook and AES. Seek WorldBank help. Cry to the Spanish/US media.
Yes, I realize that any of the above would take 1000 times more skill, finess, intelligence, savy and cojones than Dominican politicians posess, and 1,000,000 times more than el maldito carbo could ever drum up. But how would it play out if it were tried?
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