Key Baghdad electricity station completed

[Barrett808]

Renovation work on a key electric substation in Baghdad has been completed, paving the way for improvements to Iraq's decrepit power grid, the US military said.

The 100-million-dollar project took about 10 months to complete and employed up to 600 mostly Iraqi workers at its peak, the statement said Saturday.

"Reliable electric service is high on any Baghdad residents wish list," the military noted, adding, "Its really gratifying to see a big project like Al Ameen come to completion."

Henry Shelton, an engineer with the US Army Corps of Engineers, said the Al Ameen substation was designed in 1993 and construction started soon after.

"The construction was never completed. When we arrived, it was in total disrepair and the site had been badly looted," Shelton said.

(more)

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/afp/20050604/wl_mideast_afp/iraquselectricity

[Missy M]

1. I wonder how long it will be before it gets blown up?

[Maple]

3. I was just thinking

the same thing. Iraqis are probably running a pool on that question.

[bemildred]

4. Yes, "Who will blow it up?" is a good question too.

So many to pick from.

[Javaman]

10. Maybe if they stop painting bullseyes on them, they would last longer lol

[Double T]

8. We Pay To Destroy Everything, Then We Pay To Rebuild Everything...

....seems like we could save a couple of steps and in the process a whole lot of taxpayer money that could be used for important things we really need. But then we might not be able to be the self appointed leaders of democracy, freedom and let's not forget capitalism.

[depakid]

9. It's more useful to the rebels if its operational

Having a reliable power source avaliable only expands the reach and flexiiblity of their operations.

[steely]

18. My thoughts exactly - I was thinking there'd be a light show 2nite.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

2. The station "was in total disrepair"??? That's what happens when....

...cruise missiles impact a building like that.

[NMDemDist2]

5. I hope they get it up and running and guard it so it stays that way. The

citizens of Baghdad need it so desperately.

[Gman]

6. Ok... who's in the bet for how long before it blows up?

Everybody kick in $1!

I'm in and I say 7 days!

[Barrett808]

7. More likely to be looted than blown up n/t

[Pachamama]

11. They had to show something for the how many 100's of Billions $$$ spent !

:eyes:

[jburton]

12. "Newest target completed"

nt

[Ravenseye]

13. Yay!

Now if only people could drive to the market without worrying about being blown up...but who cares about that right?

Funny how they make it sound like the reason electirical service in baghdad is still non-existant is that places like this were totally unfinished. Funny cause they had electricity fine before the war, but since it's been absolutely horrid.

[daleo]

14. Why would the houses need to be rewired?

"Substations like this one "do not produce electricity or deliver it directly to peoples homes. They distribute power to smaller substations, which are located all over Baghdad," the engineer said.

That means Baghdad residents will not immediately see a difference, but Iraqi officials now have a solid foundation on which to build the rest of the grid.

"The next step is to rewire individual residences. Then people will really see the difference," Shelton said.

Rewiring individual houses across an entire city is an extremely labor-intensive task, so it will take time," he said."

I am no electrician, but this doesn't make any sense to me. Did the house wiring in homes mysteriously vanish? Or is this new grid incompatible with previous wiring (i.e. based on the U.S. model instead of the more common worldwide wiring standards)?

Also, I note the only hyperlinked, bright blue words in this story were "Saddam Hussein" and "United Nations". More subtle propaganda?

[Maple]

15. If they're planning on rewiring

all of Baghdad, it will certainly take time!

[leftchick]

16. Hooray!!! The 400 BILLION US Tax Dollar Electricity Project!

I am fucking thrilled here!

:grr:

[BlueManDude]

17. They had an electicity grid - before it was destroyed.

I swear when a large portion of the Amer people hear stories like this they think we are finally bestowing the great gift of electrity on camel-riding savages. They don't understand that Baghdad was a modern city with doctors, lawyers, engineers - and yes electricity.

[tabasco]

19. Cool. Maybe someday we can work on the US infrastructure.

How nice we're rebuilding the world when the US is turning into crap. No money to rebuild roads and bridges here but Baghdad has a new power station.

Hooray !! Thanks Bush ! And guess what?? They still HATE us and want us the fkkk out of their country.

[saracat]

20. Ane our electrical grid will be done when?