tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235138415013046381.post1078792361722420499..comments2023-10-25T07:29:40.789-02:30Comments on UNCLE GNARLEY: SHAWN SKINNER AND HIS DOPPELGANGERDes Sullivanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02566013585647491614noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235138415013046381.post-71913661932977412152013-09-05T15:42:31.046-02:302013-09-05T15:42:31.046-02:30You hear alot of talk about the cost growth on the...You hear alot of talk about the cost growth on the Muskrat Falls project. Common sense will tell you that this is a real risk when you take a look at the shortage of workers in NL right now. Yet Nalcor are stating that they are on budget. A review of their on-line cost reports only show the expended to date, and not the forecast to complete. It is the total life of project forecast which will tell the tale. I would like Nalcor to tell us this. I would also like to understand where they are on the Emera renegotiations. Lots of Risks, and Unanswered questions. The last thing we need to worry about if an Italian company gets the work. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235138415013046381.post-69630594225235507562013-09-05T13:24:47.744-02:302013-09-05T13:24:47.744-02:30I support Nalcor 100% in this issue including the ...I support Nalcor 100% in this issue including the China and Turkey purchases.<br /><br />As far as Muskrat Falls is concerned you can mark me down as extremely not in favour. I would even shut it down now after the initial $2 Billion was spent because I don't believe the rest of the planned expenditure (additional $5.7B plus interest during construction so approx. $6.5B) represents a good value proposition. I do not see the strategic value as the 500 MW link only exports 6% of the Upper and Lower Churchill potential and it further fills that demand with expensive power when in 24 years after this project comes on stream we will have inexpensive power. The Labrador mines if they materialize can obtain power from the Upper Churchill (and yes Quebec gets the money until 2041).<br /><br />All of the above being said I was outvoted and this project is proceeding and needs to be managed as best as possible for the ratepayer. The biggest risk to us is the cost. I expect that it will end up being in the $10B range. The higher the cost the more the incremental interest rates will be and the corresponding payments will go up almost exponentially. We are currently in a serious construction boom and all of the local trades people are already working so hence the need to search outside to keep costs down. Nalcor and even SNC are technically competent and will have large bonds and conditions in place to manage the technical risks and if Italian or other firms underestimate Labrador conditions then they will be the ones facing most of the financial risk. In short we need the foreign competition to keep costs in line or else we will be facing a $14B project (good for locals who get rich) and touch financial times for this province.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235138415013046381.post-6910675024360718082013-09-05T11:28:41.047-02:302013-09-05T11:28:41.047-02:30Risky Business 2 Shawn Skinner Edition.
Skinner i...Risky Business 2 Shawn Skinner Edition.<br /><br />Skinner is basically a lobbyist crying foul over non Canadian firms bidding (how dare they!) on a tendered megaproject? <br /><br />He must still be VERY bitter about losing in 11':just delayed the inevitable 15' thrashing incoming for the majority of his former party. <br /><br />If only he had shown such candor to RISKS before blindly sanctioning MF and cutting/gutting all of the due diligence.<br /><br />Ed and Gill must be very good salesmen or NLPCs the most gullible lot in the entire Commonwealth.<br /><br />SS Risk assessment now taints everything he has said in defense of MF since getting booted out.<br /><br />CBC introduce SS as LOBBYIST not former provincial cabinet minister! <br /><br />SS probably wants MF stopped if his employer doesn't win any bids: I never supported the project blah...<br /><br />Money talks ethics walk SS! <br /><br /><br /><br />AChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06779383664665696092noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235138415013046381.post-50381559231372417532013-09-05T07:30:33.972-02:302013-09-05T07:30:33.972-02:30If one was to have the intention to make some mone...If one was to have the intention to make some money disappear, like a kickback, or a whatever, I'd rather deal with an international company. Italy has a great reputation for corruption these days. I think the fetch of Skinner that you quote here appeared just to twist our indignation in such a way that the public actually supports using international businesses for these contracts and spurns our own. The old zero-sum local mentality of "If he gets ahead, it puts me behind."<br />It is not a foreign or domestic issue, it is an issue of risk, even if a troll or a spook points it out.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235138415013046381.post-31482442117765849212013-09-04T23:20:55.611-02:302013-09-04T23:20:55.611-02:30There is one thing I have faith in and that is Nal...There is one thing I have faith in and that is Nalcor's ability to spend our tax dollars. They will give this work to the company that is the preferred vendor once all criteria are evaluated. One thing I do not understand.... Is this Nalcor or SNC Lavalin which will be making the final decision? <br /><br />If the companies all prequalified to bid, should it not go to lowest price?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235138415013046381.post-4181039060872252962013-09-04T23:12:27.919-02:302013-09-04T23:12:27.919-02:30How many times has Shawn Skinner promoted the proj...How many times has Shawn Skinner promoted the project in public, as a former natural resources minister? <br /><br />http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/story/2012/01/21/nl-on-point-economists-121.html<br /><br />Go to 20 minutes into this link. Shawn was talking risk back then as well. It was the risk of the lights going out if we didnt build the project. <br /><br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235138415013046381.post-83224388722820381182013-09-04T22:32:44.981-02:302013-09-04T22:32:44.981-02:30So you have not answered his concerns..... I think...So you have not answered his concerns..... I think he makes a great point. no doubt he has a interest in this decision but I think he makes good points. Is he wrong... I think not. Let Canadian companies do the work, cheaper is not better in all cases and I think he has valid concerns about the Italians lack of experience with jobs in Canada.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com