Stand-To!- Utilities Privatization - August 24, 2007

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Edition: Fri, August 24, 2007
Rich-text Version <http://www4.army.mil/news/standto.php?dte=2007-08-24> 

SENIOR LEADERS ARE SAYING


"As (U.S. forces) take the initiative from the enemy, they have a question:
whether elected leaders in Washington pulled the rug out from under them
just as they're gaining momentum and changing the dynamic on the ground in
Iraq. Here's my answer: We'll support our troops, we'll support our
commanders; and we will give them everything they need to succeed." -
President George Bush said during the Veterans of Foreign Wars National
Convention in Kansas City, Mo., Aug. 22. 


TODAY'S FOCUS


Utilities Privatization

What is it? Owning and operating utility systems is not a core function of
the Department of Defense (DoD). The Army has historically under funded our
utilities infrastructure. The Utilities Privatization program seeks to
leverage financing and economies of scale by turning over our systems to
industry experts who will bring our utilities to industry standards. The
intent is to obtain safe, reliable and efficient utility services for Army
installations. Privatization also allows installation commanders to focus on
core defense missions and functions by relieving them of activities that can
be done more efficiently and effectively by others. DoD directed Defense
Components to privatize all Service-owned electric, natural gas, water and
wastewater utility systems unless security concerns required Federal
ownership or privatization was uneconomical. The Army expects to complete
the evaluation of our 351 Continental United States systems by September
2011.

What has the Army done? As of 30 September 2006, 118 systems in the United
States have been privatized, 158 are uneconomical to privatize, and 75 are
under evaluation. Overseas utility systems are generally owned by the host
nation and are evaluated using host nation laws and international
agreements, and are not included in the DoD Utilities Privatization
initiative. Europe has privatized the operations and maintenance of 320 of
its 589 utility systems.

What efforts does the Army plan to continue in the future? The Army will
continue to evaluate and privatize all utility systems where this is
economical. Utility systems that cannot be privatized will be re-capitalized
using traditional funding sources such as the Operations & Maintenance and
Military Construction appropriations.

Why is this important to the Army? Privatization of such utility systems is
important because it results in safe, reliable and efficient utility
services for Army installations and relieves installation commanders of
activities that can be performed more efficiently and effectively by others
and allows them to focus resources on their core missions. 

* This topic was taken directly from the 2007 Army Posture Statement.
<http://www.army.mil/aps/07> 



INFORMATION YOU CAN USE


* 2007 Strategic Communication Guide
<https://www.us.army.mil/suite/page/409993>  - Be Army Strong, and Army
Smart. Read the 2007 Army Strategic Communication Guide.


NEWS ABOUT THE ARMY


*	Ten Iraq Black Hawk crash victims were from Hawaii's Schofield
Barracks (SAS <http://stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=48293> ) 
*	Bragg officers join Africa command (FO
<http://www.fayobserver.com/article?id=270530> ) 
*	Army Corps begins search for Agent Orange in Tok (KTUU
<http://www.ktuu.com/Global/story.asp?S=6974266> ) 
*	Alaska Guard sees dynamic change in face of deployments (AFIS
<http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=47157> )


WAR ON TERROR NEWS


*	Intelligence estimate shows U.S. strategy improved security in Iraq
(AFIS <http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=47161> ) 
*	Top general to urge Iraq troop cut (EB
<http://ebird.afis.mil/ebfiles/e20070824538702.html>  | LAT
<http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-pace24aug24,0,43964.sto
ry?coll=la-home-center> ) 
*	Villagers battle Insurgents after attack on sheik near Baqubah (WP
<http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/23/AR200708230
2044.html> ) 
*	More Iraqis said to flee since troop rise (EB
<http://ebird.afis.mil/ebfiles/e20070824538520.html>  | NYT
<http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/24/world/middleeast/24displaced.html?_r=1&or
ef=slogin> )


OF INTEREST


*	After-Army review: Two former Soldiers tell how Army life helped
them (ARNews
<http://www.army.mil/-news/2007/08/23/4549-after-army-review-two-former-sold
iers-tell-how-army-life-helped-them/> ) 
*	18th Airborne Corps prepares for lead role in Iraq theater (AFIS
<http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=47156> ) 
*	BAMC steps up care for Warriors in transition, Families (ARNews
<http://www.army.mil/-news/2007/08/23/4555-bamc-steps-up-care-for-warriors-i
n-transition-families/> ) 
*	Ex-Army Corps official pleads guilty to rigging New Orleans bid (LAT
<http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-leevee24aug24,0,506272
4.story?coll=la-home-nation> )


WORLD VIEW


*	U.S. Army Secretary rules out Iraq deployments longer than 15 months
(IHT <http://www.iht.com/>  | Story
<http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/08/23/america/NA-GEN-US-Army-Secretary.
php> ) 
*	U.S. Soldier charged with taking bribe in Iraq (RT
<http://www.reuters.com/>  | Story
<http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSN2329555720070823> ) 
*	U.S. Army gave troops go-ahead to enter Pakistan in 2004 (MS
<http://story.malaysiasun.com/>  | Story
<http://story.malaysiasun.com/index.php/ct/9/cid/303b19022816233b/id/276279/
cs/1/> ) 
*	U.S. general warns of bloody 'Ramadan Offensive' in Iraq (MEO
<http://www.middle-east-online.com/english/>  | Story
<http://www.middle-east-online.com/english/iraq/?id=21853> )


WHAT'S BEING SAID IN BLOGS


*	Iraq pictures - 23 August 2007 (IP
<http://iraqpictures.blogspot.com/> ) 
*	The eastern Afghanistan offensive (BR <http://billroggio.com/> ) 
*	Another Vietnam? (SAG <http://soldiersangelsgermany.blogspot.com/> )

*	Casual Fridays (ACG
<http://armchairgeneralist.typepad.com/my_weblog/> )

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