A question of public utility
The editorial page of the Free Press often provides perspectives that are thought-provoking and sometimes contradictory. “Keeping the lights on,” (Oct. 5) by Hal Turner and “Wasteful operations should be […]
The editorial page of the Free Press presents thought-provoking perspectives that can be contradictory at times. Two such pieces, "Keeping the lights on" by Hal Turner and "Wasteful operations should be held accountable" by Barry Prentice, explore the topic of public utility from different angles. While they differ in their delivery and the quality of underlying facts, they do not contradict each other as they address two unique subjects.
Hal Turner delivers a compelling argument for gas-fuelled generation, emphasizing the critical aspect of power supply to Manitobans. He supports his stance with relatable facts and anecdotes about the actions of comparable utilities. Turner asserts that Manitoba Hydro's experts are not anti-wind or pro-fossil fuel; rather, they strive for the best possible solution for Manitobans.
His column's validity is bolstered by his long-standing tenure within the organization and his understanding of the non-negotiable requirement of "keeping the lights on."
Barry Prentice, on the other hand, advocates for Public Utilities Board oversight of water and waste utilities, including the Greater Winnipeg Water District (GWWD) and its railway. While Prentice believes this would provide discipline and oversight to rate-setting, benefiting ratepayers, there are several facts in his column that warrant closer examination.
For instance, Prentice implies that the GWWD has been operating without review of its need or cost, whereas the reality is that the department's services have been periodically reviewed for cost-effectiveness and necessity.
Moreover, Prentice's assertion that the GWWD station and yard occupy about 29 acres of developable land near downtown seems to suggest that this land is idle. However, the land is home to a machine shop and maintenance hub that service most of the department's facilities. Additionally, the main equipment yard for the water services division, where services are dispatched citywide, is co-located at this site for efficient dispatch of services to all areas of Winnipeg.
Written by urgent.news from Winnipeg Free Press's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
