Here in Costa Rica, we have excellent state subsidized bus service and a state owned utility monopoly, ICE. (National Healthcare, too.) Our electricity is predominantly hydro powered, though there is at least one large wind farm and three small diesel generation stations scattered about the country. ICE also protects a lot of land from development, especially land near the headwaters of the several rivers that provide drinking water to San Jose, the capital.

Breaking up ICE is a major goal of CAFTA, called TLC down here, and is one of the reasons the treaty is still opposed. It faces a tough fight in the coming legislature, but it will probably pass.

At least for now, any frustrations incurred dealing with the ICE bureaucracy is more than made up by the quality and efficiency of the service. My bill for electric, water, sewer, garbage, phone, and internet run less than $100/mo.