• skulkingaround@sh.itjust.works
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      7
      ·
      edit-2
      9 days ago

      Deliberately underfunded or mismanaged, maybe. It’s been like this since the 90s at least. But I don’t think they need any intent for a buyout for it to suck. Afaik, there is zero interest from any private buyers for our utilities.

      If I had to point to a specific failure, it’s that the rates are set by city council, and raising them is wildly unpopular. Everyone who proposed it loses re-election. We have some of the cheapest power in the world but fat lot of good that does when it’s not on.

      • Frostbeard@lemmy.world
        link
        fedilink
        arrow-up
        3
        ·
        9 days ago

        How does that work? They still have to buy the power from someone, and those prices have increased. Or do they own their own power plant/turbine/whatever. Then they should sell the excess and subsidize their citizens.

        • skulkingaround@sh.itjust.works
          link
          fedilink
          arrow-up
          4
          ·
          edit-2
          9 days ago

          They buy most power from TVA, the rate city council controls is the fixed rate markup they charge on top. Our power is $0.07/kwh by the time you pay for it.