Iraq Sweltering With Almost No Electricity
Now, imagine next to zero electricity to power fans or air conditioning.
That's the state of Baghdad, the fifth summer of US occupation.
Deborah White reports this dismal -- and sweltering -- state of affairs (emphasis added):
Baghdad residents can now "count on only 'an hour or two a day' of electricity." In May 2007, Baghdad homes had 5.6 hours of daily electricity, and 10.9 hours for homes outside Baghdad. Before the U.S. attacked Iraq, Iraqi homes received 16 to 24 daily hours of electricity.
In May, the President stopped including how long the power stays on in its weekly report to Congress on the state of affairs in Iraq.
Did any Democratic leader squawk? Not then. Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA) squawked last week -- that's why the LA Times reported the story.
The State Department says its new measure -- an estimate of how much electricity is produced country-wide, is more accurate. The most recent quarter saw 4,230 megawatts, compared with 3,900 megawatts during the previous quarter. Two years ago, total power production was 5,000 megawatts. Oil production also remains depressed. The most recent quarter reports 2.1 million barrels of oil a day compared to 1.9 million the prior quarter. However, this remains below the 2.4 million barrels a day Iraq produced before the 2003 invasion.
The US blames "insurgent attacks" for the decline in power production. However, it also blames the Iraqi government:
The Iraqi [Dora] power plant rebuilt with tens of millions of U.S. dollars fell into disrepair once transferred to the Baghdad government. The 320-megawatt Dora plant is considered an important source of power for electricity-starved Baghdad.
And yet ... part of the problem is that "the U.S. government hindered Bechtel's work (on unspecified projects) by failing to supply enough personnel to oversee the contract."
Also see Tracking The Surge, Iraq War Statistics as of July 29, 2007
Comments
Did you know that before we entered Iraq Sadam only allowed one turbine to be used and all the Damn water was used to supply only Bagdad? When the troops got to the Damn and saw what he had done the let loose the water and supplied the rest of Iraq with electricity. Now everyone gets a little electical power rather than one place getting it all. They are working to keep workers alive so they can teach them how to use the new plants. To supply more power. Unlike here Iraq doesn’t yet have the luxery of and instant gratification society. Have patience good things are happening and it’s ok to share the good news. Remember…the world is watching and listening and you represent Americans when you speak. Make sure it is the WHOLE truth.
Hi, Kim, you are correct that Baghdad got more of the electricity produced in the country than the rest of the country did prior to March 2003. About 1/3 of the country’s population lives in Baghdad.
However, this SPRING Baghdad got on average 5 hours of electricity today. Under our leadership, that number has dropped this summer — and it’s dropped, OVERALL, since March 2003.
In addition, last week CNN reported: “About eight million Iraqis — nearly a third of the population — are without water, sanitation, food and shelter and need emergency aid…. The report found that about 43 percent of Iraq’s population endure “absolute poverty,” and that more than half “are now without work.”