Who is this nut?
- kired
- "You need to believe in things that aren't true. How else can they become?" T. Pratchett
11.4.08
File Under: Somthing we all need
Maine Public Service and Central Maine Power are working out a way to connect Aroostook County to the rest of the grid. It's amazing how interested the southern part of the state has become in helping us with our power cost issues, now that we may have lots of wind power for them to use, with out them having to look at wind turbines. Not that I mind, I think they're pretty.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
8 comments:
It's amazing how interested MPS becomes in being attached to something larger when they're being investigated for questionable rate increases... compared with a lot of the rest of the state, y'all are being rode hard and put away wet... and not in a good way.
Actually, MPS isn't the guilty party, it's a Wisconsin based company called Integrys (sic). They are indeed riding us hard, and the Feds are the ones doing the whipping.
*cough* It's never good to assume that the big dogs are always in the wrong - and this time they aren't.
Just happened to be at a full presentation of this issue this week. MPS isn't jumping on any coattails here - they are taking the lead on this transmission line effort because it is the only way to ever get cheaper electric costs for northern Maine. Currently almost all the power used here (and in most of Maine) is generated by fossil fuels and that is what drives the prices. Up here we are also dependent on power being wheeled into and out of Canada because of the gap in the lines. There are more wind developers interested in our area and they need reliable distribution for their multimillion dollar investments.
MPS is working with CMP and Bangor Hydro among others to find a way to keep the developers happy while ensuring - by legislation if need be - that Maine - specifically northern Maine - benefits from the cheaper power their turbines will produce.
This BDN article will give you most of the information that was shared with the LEAD board of directors
http://www.bangordailynews.com/news/t/business2.aspx?articleid=162917&zoneid=12
huh, my own source of insider info was talking about this earlier, I may be "mis-rembering" but the impression I got was that this is MPS desperate attempt to bale it's self out of it's own screw up and the tax payers expense
Also "Actually, MPS isn't the guilty party, it's a Wisconsin based company called Integrys (sic). They are indeed riding us hard, and the Feds are the ones doing the whipping."
You leave WPS alone :p
To put it bluntly, the real fuck up was the deregulation of power companies. For that we can blame the politicians and the PUC.
I've seen the information on this project and frankly cannot find any way to relate the "bale out" comment to what is being talked about. How does this effort to capitalize on the interest of wind power companies and get the rest of the N.E. grid to invest some money into Maine for a change bale them out? and of what ? Maybe the need to eventually upgrade lines and have MPS customers foot the entire bill ? or maybe our dependence on the only power supplier who will do business up here ? - other than that - with all due respect - huh???
Not sure how anyone can do some homework on the existing situation and conclude that additional and upgraded transmission lines are not needed and most particularly the need to connect this area to the rest of the state. And that is not even getting into the fact that much of what is there is not capable of wheeling the new supply of power that will be generated as the new wind plants come online.
Right now the gap in the lines means northern Maine is entirely dependent on Canada for wheeling power into and out of the area before they can connect to the international grid.
If only a bare minimum fix were done then MPS ratepayers would bear the entire cost and it is not feasible.
The larger project including upgrades and possibly new lines for BH and CMP would benefit the N.E. grid and is eligible for the cost to be borne by the ISO-NE group. If the group determines the project to be beneficial to the grid then the project would move forward with Maine's share of the costs being in the single digit % range.
It is impossible to go into all the information that is already available so will make just this last point.
Maine currently relys on oil and natural gas for 62 > 75 % of it's generating capabilty. Increasingly dangerous and costly. The proposed transmission line upgrades address distribution of cheaper wind generated power within the state and also enhance the possiblity of creating a competative market in northern Maine which is currently missing. It is completely unfair to blame MPS for the lack of competition to supply power to our area. And that is what is driving the bulk of the cost to us. No one except the idiots in Augusta ever thought the scheme would work. If you really want someone to yell at for the resulting fiasco one of the retired folks who pushed the hardest for passage lives a bit to the north.
Northern Maine has a long sad history of negativity and it is hurting us. Washington county managed to get a multi-million dollar infra-structure project done in an amazingly short time because they worked together to move things forward. We really need to look forward as well and encourage proactive projects instead of looking for ways to tear things down.
And a word about "insiders" - learned many years ago to always examine personal issues and agendas.
I have no dog in this hunt except that I see what is happening to the area and it scares me. I am always willing to look at things with an open mind and an eye to how we keep the metaphorical lights on as well as the actual ones. I am encouraged that there are more wind developers ready to invest millions of dollars in our area. Renewable energy may be our future.
There will be ample meetings and information as things move forward - this is barely out of the gate right now. Highly recommend people go to informational sessions as they are offered. Or at least do the courtesy of asking for information. Here are a couple of possiblities.
www.mainepowerconnection.com
or 1-866-914-1944
"And a word about "insiders" - learned many years ago to always examine personal issues and agendas. "
Oh I fully realize the personal agenda. The insider is my father who is the regional manager of WPS's power generation in northern Maine.
I'll admit, I only heard about a quarter of the conversation but it went something like this.
There is no guarantee's that the aforementioned project will decrease the costs of the regions power.
1. The Mars Hill project is still generating power at a higher costs then either WPS or Borelaix the primary power providers of Northern Maine.
2. The concept of increasing competition is flawed because it will actually allow both companies to sell power in more lucrative southern markets. For instance, Massachusetts providers will pay more for power from Tinker Damn then MPS will for the same reason they are pursuing the wind projects
I'll admit, I could have heard half of this wrong, I'll try and clarify the next time I'm in the county
Why would WPS embrace this new project ? They're sitting in the catbird seat.
Regarding your points:
1. Operative word is "renewable".
I don't have stats to work from but would guess any cost differential narrows for the new technology vs the old every time the price of oil takes another hit. And just like say big screen TVs - the costs of new technology always decrease with time and volume. It has to start somewhere sometime.
Other point being our current dependence level on oil and natural gas is unacceptable going into the future - period.
2. There are more wind companies interested in northern Maine - one plans on being online by 2010 I believe. And don't fret - there are provisions in the total project package for power for Maine.
Bottom line - this is an investment for the future of the area. Wouldn't that be novel - Maine actually looking past the immediate tomorrow - what a concept !!!
There is a very good chance these renewable energy companies will spawn a new industry with new jobs - NMCC is already looking at a program to train technicians - so maybe young people won't be so quick to leave the area.
Post a Comment