Cantwell Slams Trump Administration’s Continued Efforts to Sell off Bonneville Power Administration Assets
Below is a copy of a press release from Senator Maria Cantwell responding to Donald Trump’s plan to sell off …
Senators Oppose Trump Administration Proposal to Auction off Bonneville Power Administration Assets & Other Federal Transmission Lines
“There is a long, bipartisan tradition of opposing similar past proposals, including last year’s proposal that recommended selling off federal PMA transmission assets,” the senators reminded Mick Mulvaney. ”Unfortunately, this year’s budget is broader in scope, potentially undermining reliable and affordable electric service in our states.”
James Conca: It’s a horrible idea to privatize TVA, BPA, and other public energy assets
“In fact, privatization of government entities has never worked,” notes James Conca for Forbes. “It has only made a handful of businessmen very rich and has cost taxpayers a lot more money. Whether it’s prisons or the military, privatization has always increased costs, decreased quality and services, and encouraged corruption.”
Scott Corwin: Trump’s budget on BPA goes from bad to worse
“While wrapped in the veneer of privatization, the president’s budget proposals would have the ironic effect of harming private enterprise in the Northwest by raising costs,” Scott Corwin writes.
Jon Talton on Trump’s infrastructure scheme: Tearing down 150 years of federal support
“The only vision here is a fast buck for buddies at Mar-a-Lago and even some members of the richest Cabinet in history who have been, er, casual about separating their private interests from public duty,” argues Seattle Times columnist Jon Talton.
Michael Hiltzik: Who would profit if Trump privatizes the electrical grid? Not consumers on the West Coast
“By one authoritative estimate, any such sale would drive up the cost of transmission by 26%-44%.”
Moody’s gives a big thumbs down to Trump’s idea of selling off federal utilities
“Such a sale would be credit negative for each entity because it would reduce transmission-related revenue, a stable revenue source and weaken federal government support, key considerations that support their respective ratings,” Moody’s says.
Ron Wyden slams the Trump budget as a grave threat to BPA and the Pacific Northwest
“Oregonians raised hell last year when Trump tried to raise power bills for Pacific Northwesterners by selling off Bonneville Power, and yet his administration is back at it again. Our investment shouldn’t be put up for sale to free up money for runaway military spending or tax cuts for billionaires,” Senator Wyden said.
Maria Cantwell vows to defend Bonneville Power Administration from Trump’s greed
“Selling off BPA’s transmission system and abandoning cost-based rates would raise electricity rates and throw sand in the gears of the Northwest economy,” Senator Cantwell says.
The campaign begins!
Protect Northwest Power is a new campaign by the Northwest Progressive Institute to ensure that the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) — one of our region’s greatest and most important assets — remains publicly owned and operated.