• Oil, Natural Gas, and Electric Deregulation



• Stopping the Nuclear Relapse



• Interactive Map of Proposed New Reactors



• The Case Against Nuclear Power



• The Case for Renewables and Efficiency



• Energy Legislation



• Press Room



• Congressional Voting Records



• Take Action!

Guam – U.S. influence promotes water privatization

Sabina Perez, Concerned Citizens Against Guam Waterworks Authority (GWA) Privatization

At a time when U.S. public funding for water infrastructure is shrinking despite increasing needs and when the political climate favors a shift of government financing from public loans to private activity bonds, cash-strapped communities, when faced with compliance issues, are increasingly pressured to privatize their utilities. Guam is one such community that is currently pressured to privatize as a result of a 2002 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) lawsuit requiring roughly $220 million worth of upgrades in order to comply with the U.S. Safe Drinking Water and Clean Water Acts. 

Unlike most U.S. communities, Guam is a non-self-governing territory with limited political means to address economic concerns, amongst others. Disregarding the substandard political relationship, which, in the past, has eroded Guam’s economy from a self-sufficient to a welfare state, the challenges today, for a nonvoting U.S. congressional delegate representing Guam to secure public funds in this politically competitive environment is difficult, if not impossible.

In view of this, the U.S. EPA lawsuit has played into the hands of the Camacho/Moylan administration’s mass privatization agenda, advocated by the local Chamber of Commerce, in their aim to satisfy the immediate needs of the increased military presence, which is being actively pursued. 

Despite warnings from activists that privatization has failed worldwide and that many U.S. communities are reverting back to public systems, the local elite continues to launch an aggressive and underhanded campaign in their attempt to deliver a Manila-style concession agreement, which is the largest privatization attempt currently underway under U.S. control.

At stake in the conflict are the human rights to water and the right to self-determination of the Chamoru people, who have developed a civilization and culture on Guam since 2200 B.C. The resistance calls for international solidarity, especially from the United States, to ensure the well-being of the Chamoru people and their culture.

Support the struggle in Guam by signing the solidarity letter - to read the letter click and lend your support click here. For more information contact Sabina Perez, sabinap@earthlink.net.

more resources

Because Public Citizen does not accept funds from corporations, professional associations or government agencies, we can remain independent and follow the truth wherever it may lead. But that means we depend on the generosity of concerned citizens like you for the resources to fight on behalf of the public interest. If you would like to help us in our fight, click here.