Which Power Outage Is The Lesser Of The 2 Evils ?

[khairyexpat]

For what it's worth, my "first world" city has been hit with a massive ice storm this weekend. Nearly 500,000 homes--most in the older parts of the city where wiring is still above ground--are still without power, and most of those are without heat as well. Also many in high rises are without water, for the same reasons as in BA. The city is warning that a substantial number could be powerless for up to 72 more hours, effectively cancelling Christmas for those affected.

While this is not an annual event in Toronto, it is occurring more frequently than it should ... illustrating perhaps that Argentina is not the only country failing to make necessary infrastructure upgrades.

Frying pan or the fire?

 

[nicoenarg]

The difference being, that's a natural weather problem because of which there is no electricity in Canada. Here the natural problem is the heat but its not the direct result of heat that there is no electricity, its the lack of infrastructure and investment. The government here could have easily fixed the problem if they weren't busy wasting money buying votes.

Its fine to compare but IMHO the comparison doesn't even stand when considering the circumstances.

Also, my information that electricity in cities in Canada would have been fine absent the storms may be faulty. Maybe Canada has an infrastructure problem too and that is why the power is out...in that case, yes it is a case of out of the frying pan, into the fire.

Otherwise this comparison is like charging a tree for murder because it fell on a person and killed him or her during a storm...the same as if one human had shot or stabbed someone else.

 

[Matiasba]

The problem with Argentina and electricity is the total lack of planification. Heavily subsidizing A LOT of enterprizes and the rich!!
This goverment wastes energy like no one before. I could understand subsidios to a lot of people (the poor, even the middle class -thats arguable), paying what, no more than 100 pesos/month?
But subsidios to the rich? to a lot of companies? Then you have outages or a USD 15,000 millions anual deficit of energy.

Its the no-plan plan.

 

[khairyexpat]

Given the 2 options, ... which one is the (*least*) lesser of the 2 evils ?

Before the Dr. amputates, he gives his patient his options:
Which one is it goina be, left arm or right arm ?

 

[Rich One]

The Head of Edesur indicated that the company had expanded the distribution capacity by 65 % during the last ten years. Sure not enough, they operate at the limit.

 

[Bajo_cero2]

The only way is to limit consumption rising prices. Simple.

 

[khairyexpat]

But seriously ... which is the lesser of the 2 evils:

Blackout @ 40 below zero
or
Blackout @ 40 above zero

Don't change the subject ... please

 

[franksredhots]

lack of proper planning and investment on infrastructure is not just a third world problem. Anyone who thinks that is fooling themselves. Hurricane Katrina anyone? collapsing bridges in the US of A anyone? The current Argentinian governmemt is useless and corrupt, is it any different from the current American governmemt or past Argentinian governments for that matter? No. But we can all dream if it makes us feel any better.

 

[franksredhots]

just to put things into perspective. The ACSE gave the USA a D+ in infrastructure investment for 2013. We need close to 3 trillion in investments by 2020. Where will that money come from if we are almost 20 trillion in debt, and the FED is feeding all of our money to wallstreet while our very own corrupt governmemt sits back and enjoys their " campaign contributions " ? People will wake up to the truth one day, but it surely wont be your generation.

http://www.infrastructurereportcard.org/a/#p/transit/overview

 

[Bajo_cero2]

But seriously ... which is the lesser of the 2 evils:

Blackout @ 40 below zero
or
Blackout @ 40 above zero

Don't change the subject ... please

It is worst with 40 degrees under zero.