Generating Failure
Public Power Policy in the Northwest
Format:Hardback
Publisher:University Press of America
Published:16th May '89
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The establishment of the Tennessee Valley Authority in 1933 ushered in a new age for American energy policy in which the federal government supplanted private industry as the primary provider of power for much of the nation. In 1937 the Bonneville Power Administration was established in the Northwest with the mandate of transmitting and marketing power from the Bonneville Dam on the Columbia River. Eventually BPA became responsible for all federal power facilities in the Northwest. In this book economist David L. Shapiro exposes the policy disasters caused by the public power system. He shows that the Washington Public Power Supply System (WPPS, or Whoops) default on $2.25 billion worth of municipal bondsóthe largest such default in America's historyówas due to reckless mismanagement by BPA. He also demonstrates how political maneuvering continues to jeopardize the stability of the power industry. Shapiro charges that BPA is a prime example of a federal agency that has grossly exceeded its initial charter and pursued an independent course at the expense of taxpayers and the constituents it was intended to serve. His solution is to privatize the agency and restore the responsibility of energy provision in the Northwestóand throughout the nationóto the private sector. Co-published with the Cato Institute.
A scholarly and well-documented study of the inherent problems of public power. Since Congress has forbidden the Office of Management and Budget even to study this waste of taxpayer dollars, it's a good thing that David Shapiro was available to do so.His analysis demonstrates that privatization is the only way to prevent future WPPSS disasters. -- Richard L. Stroup, Political Economy Research Center * Forum For Applied Research and Public Policy *
A thorough analysis of the history and economics of the trouble-prone BPA. It should be required reading for anyone concerned about federal power policy. -- David Keating, National Taxpayers Union * Forum For Applied Research and Public Policy *
An excellent book. Shapiro provides not only a lucid historical account but also an exceptionally clear explanation of BPA's confusing and complicated finances. Generating Failure points the way toward reforming this country's misguided public power policies. -- Robert W. Poole, Jr., Reason Foundation * Forum For Applied Research and Public Policy *
The book is well written and should serve as an excellent reference for those interested in documenting the successes and failures of public power generation... * Forum For Applied Research and Public Policy *
The book is well written and should serve as an excellent reference for those interested in documenting the successes and failures of public power generation... * Forum For Applied Research and Public Policy *
A scholarly and well-documented study of the inherent problems of public power. Since Congress has forbidden the Office of Management and Budget even to study this waste of taxpayer dollars, it's a good thing that David Shapiro was available to do so. His analysis demonstrates that privatization is the only way to prevent future WPPSS disasters. -- Richard L. Stroup, Political Economy Research Center * Forum For Applied Research and Public Policy *
A thorough analysis of the history and economics of the trouble-prone BPA. It should be required reading for anyone concerned about federal power policy. -- David Keating, National Taxpayers Union * Forum For Applied Research and Public Policy *
An excellent book. Shapiro provides not only a lucid historical account but also an exceptionally clear explanation of BPA's confusing and complicated finances. Generating Failure points the way toward reforming this country's misguided public power policies. -- Robert W. Poole, Jr., Reason Foundation * Forum For Applied Research and Public Policy *
ISBN: 9780819172389
Dimensions: 239mm x 154mm x 15mm
Weight: 376g
136 pages