tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235138415013046381.post2036843094782244377..comments2023-10-25T07:29:40.789-02:30Comments on UNCLE GNARLEY: RURAL NL NEEDS TO SAVE ITSELFDes Sullivanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02566013585647491614noreply@blogger.comBlogger42125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235138415013046381.post-84188714332084154852017-01-25T15:01:38.537-03:302017-01-25T15:01:38.537-03:30While you guys talk about great ways of cutting el...While you guys talk about great ways of cutting electricity bills, well this Memorial U economist talks about the consequence's and says Nfld should hold the line on electricity rates, and instead use taxes to finance MF. <br /><br />"As people conserve, and cut back on electricity consumption, that won't do much good because the debt we've incurred from Muskrat Falls would be unchanged,"<br /><br />"The money (me: $ lost from lower electricity sales) will have to be found by raising electricity rates more, or by coming off our taxes."<br /><br />http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/taxes-electrical-bills-muskrat-falls-ratepayers-costs-1.3950886?cmp=rss<br /><br /><br /><br />Ex-Military Engrhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15209511368820589727noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235138415013046381.post-72924173579641547232017-01-24T09:22:59.958-03:302017-01-24T09:22:59.958-03:30Agree totally. its truly sad. Ive heard so many st...Agree totally. its truly sad. Ive heard so many stories from my now past grandmother. they welcomed confederation as they were starving. Her words, not mine. I totally respect that and understand the choices they made. It has changed my opinion on the whole thing. Its so sad the government can waste so much for so little and not invest the same in its people....I grew up in outport NL throughout the 80's. Our rural community had everything. only people that didn't work couldn't, and everyone owned everything. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235138415013046381.post-36768409119847670902017-01-22T11:57:55.587-03:302017-01-22T11:57:55.587-03:30Yes I understand that there was a lot of poverty i...Yes I understand that there was a lot of poverty in newfoundland pre confederation.....Its hard to imagine hunger on an island so plentiful with fish and wild game...My dads conclusions are that the union with Canada opened the flood gates to raping the wealth of this island and turned us in a welfare state...I guess my thoughts are if we can spend 11 billion on muskrat falls why cant we make available monies to invest in rural newfoundland where people are willing to work..Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09188317810864855680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235138415013046381.post-38132538884600350902017-01-21T16:59:18.455-03:302017-01-21T16:59:18.455-03:30Interesting, thanks for that. I found the argumen...Interesting, thanks for that. I found the arguments of former Premier Grimes far more compelling<br /><br />http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/roger-grimes-danny-williams-muskrat-falls-cost-1.3941494<br /><br /><br /><br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07341048560339265318noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235138415013046381.post-10079789368458308322017-01-20T21:22:57.551-03:302017-01-20T21:22:57.551-03:30Robert, as to solar panels;
Yesterday at -4C at no...Robert, as to solar panels;<br />Yesterday at -4C at noon, we had good sunshine, and solar gain through south windows<br />Here are the heatpump loads:<br />North side unit:460 watts (Some solar benefit....typical 800 watt needed)<br />South side unit: 70 watts (due to solar gain).....typical 800 watts needed<br />garage : 590 watts<br /><br /> Usually north and south heap pump are much the same, and more than the garage load,at about 800 watts say. But the solar gain almost eliminated the south side energy need, and reduced the north load some, as heat from the south migrates some to the north inside the house. At this time total load is 1.12 kw. If there was a power failure, but the sun is shining, you could kill the load in the garage, so now the load for north and south is only 530 watt. 600 watts of solar panel could feed the heat pump load on this January day time for some 3700 sq ft. However without heatpump, you would need a lot of solar power to produce any heating.<br />WA Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235138415013046381.post-27495736553860628412017-01-20T20:26:45.977-03:302017-01-20T20:26:45.977-03:30Robert, as to payback, after minisplit heat pump, ...Robert, as to payback, after minisplit heat pump, I think the next best is separate heatpump for hot water, which run from 1600 to 4500 cost to buy. Pay back is likely 10 years, and is not too attractive. In many jurisdiction they offer incentives to bring down system peak demand, which can make it attractive. Nfld does little to bring down peak demand.These could be mounted in the garage, and supplied by warm air from the primary heating heat pump. They need a warn air source. <br /> I have one system minisplit mounted in the house attic. It exhausts through the roof and air intake is through the eave vents. Many advantages including better efficiency. operating fine for 6 years. Blizzard proof, never fails to defrost, protected from salt contamination, so longer life,and gets solar gain from the black shingles: attic temperature is about 7F warmer in Jan and 30F warmer in the spring and fall, on sunny days, and some gain on cloudy days. Those big houses with big attics are ideal for this.....optimum installation I think. And vandal proof.<br /> R2000 house has garage floor uninsulated. Per sq ft this area needs more energy for heat, so ideally codes should require insulation, and maybe do now. However we do less than 1 watt per sq ft overall, including garage.<br /> Solar panels can run a mini-split or help run them. It has a relative long pay back for the energy produced, and very expensive if trying for say 4 kw and battery, unless for a cottage where there is no hydro,. Net Zero construction is good, but avoid the expense of large solar system and battery system. But I do believe in a small amount of solar capacity, about o.5 to 1 kw. Panels 1000-2000 dollar cost plus installation plus batteries if storing energy. This could produce a little energy, but important in case of a power failure of several days duration. It could reduce gas for a generator, feed a small mini split and some necessary power. I`m for staying on the grid, but reducing peak demand and energy use. I believe something like 5kw of solar and batteries are something like 50,000 or more, and batteries maybe a 10 year life........not very cost effective. At our location we get few hours of sun, and much cloud and fog, very opposite of say Arizona, where there is economics , but generally a lot of incentives also.<br />For Nfld , mini-splits for heating, in the south minisplits for cooling. Here hydro (and Wind) to drive minisplits , in the south, solar panels and wind to drive minisplits. ......I see as best and most cost effective.<br />Most all minisplits now use R410.......newer ones are using CO2 as the gas (and operate at higher pressure, and few make these yet)and very very good for climate change issue as compared to R410<br />WAAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235138415013046381.post-33332334450965787582017-01-20T13:42:47.752-03:302017-01-20T13:42:47.752-03:30Winston, Have you considered the annual photovolta...Winston, Have you considered the annual photovoltaic contribution to your power and energy demand of your Southerly Solar roof exposure? I would be interested in $Cap vs annual diversion heating cooling power, say from your already very smart system. How much annual power is used to run your equipment? Projected cost over next 30yr?Robert G Holmeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05356463540446993862noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235138415013046381.post-34560606532774089192017-01-20T11:29:08.076-03:302017-01-20T11:29:08.076-03:30Yes Bernie,you are too young, as am I (born in 47)...Yes Bernie,you are too young, as am I (born in 47) to remember pre-Confederation days. I believe some 90,000 on the dole in 1939 and dropped to 8000 in 1943, thanks to Hitler, who caused a small stir that got the Americans and Canadians into Nfld big time. When people are desperate for jobs they are greatfull for war, whether in Germany or here. Records show that many male Nflders were in too poor physical shape for work building bases here and many had to be brought in. Medical teams brought in from the USA and Canada in 1940 showed a lot of malnutrition in Nfld. By age 16, 40 percent had no teeth left.But you are right on the work ethic of rural Nflders, as to happy times, I suggest that wealth does not make a happiness to much degree.And that the happy times are remembered more that the hardships. <br /> In the 50s many of my area of Conception Bay were trademen who worked in St Johns. In the 20s and 30s My father, Capt Esau Adams, created a lot of local jobs, and things were a bee hive of actavity, fishing, herring factory, saw mill, etc in Spoon Cove,( but it was not prosperity, but kept people off the dole). Spoon Cove is now is idle as too local work.Largely retired, older people. In Spoon Cove and adjacent Upper Island Cove there is now 5 or 6 families total involved in the fishery. In the 1930s , my fathers records shows about 80 families. <br />WA Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235138415013046381.post-43731269939518489552017-01-20T10:37:56.005-03:302017-01-20T10:37:56.005-03:30Yes I have read the history of our province from t...Yes I have read the history of our province from time to time and have over the years had many conversations with my dad and my grandma of the years when they were young.......They paint a happy picture of hard work yes but determined to make a living for their family against this third world country atmosphere you talk of.....I was born in the early 50s and growing up in a small town in the 60s I can only remember one or two families that never had a parent working....Fast forward to today and you would be hard pressed to find 20 people working in the area....A vast majority of Newfoundlanders had to migrate to other parts of Canada to work...Something changed in this province during my time.....Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09188317810864855680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235138415013046381.post-90383026198483529982017-01-20T09:18:32.970-03:302017-01-20T09:18:32.970-03:30I couldn't agree more. We as a people are self...I couldn't agree more. We as a people are self serving and the ideology of "what do I get" is entrenched in our province.<br />This argument should be based on fact. I get people of rural newfoundland and labrador want to remain close to their hometown.<br />I have not heard a reasonable argument yet that is based on practical ideas. No, instead it is based on pure emotion. There is not one sustainably study to say we can support 600 communities in NL.<br />Also there is not one politician who will say we need to move people to larger urban centres so the cost can be shared by many!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235138415013046381.post-69960734162401309972017-01-20T00:14:00.848-03:302017-01-20T00:14:00.848-03:30Bernie, my take on our history is that both the Br...Bernie, my take on our history is that both the British and St John's Merchant class forever took advantage of rural Nfld. And it is the same now (they are the St John's Board of Trade crew) and promoters of 12 billion MF. How do we get a govn to invest in rural Nfld..........never did. Number one concern .....two terms and get a pension.<br /> For a short while Coaker built up part of rural nfld.....then he got knighted and moved to an estate in Jamica. Interesting to watch Trump appointments being grilled in US senate. Conflict of interest issues are important, but not here. Your father was a hard worker and they were survivors, but we were essentially a third world country during Commission years....and we had crooks running things before 1934. Blaming Canada is like blaming Quebec......we mostly can blame ourselves.........hence Rural Nfld Save Yourselves.....as who else will.<br />WA<br />WAAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235138415013046381.post-44841419525710563182017-01-19T22:22:05.400-03:302017-01-19T22:22:05.400-03:30Yes I agree this blog is a good forum for all Newf...Yes I agree this blog is a good forum for all Newfoundlanders...I had another conversation with my dad today and he is of the opinion that confederation was our down fall...This island with a half million population should be a rich vibrant place to live......We are hard working people and I believe if we had a government that would invest in rural areas things would be different.......Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09188317810864855680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235138415013046381.post-27252891434959932322017-01-19T21:29:45.251-03:302017-01-19T21:29:45.251-03:30I expect 20 year life span, so for typical house w...I expect 20 year life span, so for typical house with 3000 per year energy bill, save about 14,000.00 after paying off the unit. Double the electricity rates and double the savings.Of course they wear out, some fridges last 30 years. i am now into 6 years without a problem.Before installing one in 2010, I talked with a guy in Nova Scotia who had a trouble free unit for 10 years.Fridges have 1 year warranty. These have 5 to 10 year compressor warranty. I was dubious of the reliability, not any more. But following best methods and good quality units is critical. <br />WAAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235138415013046381.post-77262855696802168652017-01-19T20:23:49.734-03:302017-01-19T20:23:49.734-03:30Understood the concept is sound (relocating rather...Understood the concept is sound (relocating rather than creating heat), however, I'm somewhat dubious of the technology. These units have motorized compressors, moving parts, seals, pressurized systems. In short, they're subject to mechanical wear or could lose refrigerant charge over time. Fridges wear out, so will heat pumps. Question is, will their serviceable life make them a cost effective option? Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235138415013046381.post-34472754780788117532017-01-19T19:34:53.995-03:302017-01-19T19:34:53.995-03:30Wouldn`t you know it.......made a fool of..... jus...Wouldn`t you know it.......made a fool of..... just as I say Muskrat is not needed to shut down Holyrood, Mr Williams is at the Board of Trade saying WE need the power of Muskrat,...... that we are the envy of the world for our power,....... that 11.4 Billion for Muskrat is no big deal,(isn`t it 11.7),...... that Stan Marshall is in a serious conflict of interest because of various shares in companies,......... that one must remain an optimist,..... that we cannot get the Upper Churchill power to market in the back of a pickup truck.........and so on........ That there are all kinds of ways to keep electricity rates from going higher than 16 cents, which was the expected price anyway,...... so cost overruns are no big deal, as that is the nature of mega projects,...... and it is creating employment and keeping the economy afloat...... And that Stan Marshall and all the Muskrat critics needs a good shit knockin. So there you go. The savour has spoken and all captured by CBC cameras for posterity. Who can believe in mini-splits over the saviour`s words. No contest really...... I bow down. We need the power. We need the power. We need the power. Shut down your blog Des. The master has spoken, and you only encourage the noise makers, like me. Time to see the light. <br />WAAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235138415013046381.post-64117126622142312292017-01-19T12:18:29.753-03:302017-01-19T12:18:29.753-03:30For readers who may wonder if Mini-split heat pump...For readers who may wonder if Mini-split heat pumps can be key to shutting down Holyrood, if widely adopted and best practiced were followed, see my lengthy post above from Jan 16, which is rambling, but confirms significant test results for Nfld. Excuse my excitement on getting these results.<br />Winston AdamsAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235138415013046381.post-92211255583969181172017-01-18T20:58:30.727-03:302017-01-18T20:58:30.727-03:30Great to read your thoughts, Bernie and Robert. Th...Great to read your thoughts, Bernie and Robert. Them Days magazine of Labrador captured much of the hardship and hard work ethic of past years. I too have recorded some stories of part of Conception Bay. In the 1930s, things were so bad that residents of Upper Island Cove cut down the utility poles for fire wood. In Spaniard''s bay they blocked the rail line demanding bread.........6 cent a day times of Commission govn. Makes me wonder about the end result of doubling power rates. Back then it was 1 dollar a month for power and just a small light and people could not afford that.<br /> Our leaders and power companies are actually trying to deliberately increase peak demand on the grid, despite rotating power outages not that long ago, and Liberty saying demand reduction is required.<br /> Our ex HQ friend says its the same as Ontario spending over one trillion dollars on a single energy project.<br /> Watched an inspiring last press conference by Obama today, and see that our leaders here are not second rate, more like fifth rate. And he called for media to do their job and be critical of the leaders and seek answers, and hold leaders accountable.<br /> So where was our media as to all these false assumptions that led to this mess, and even yet they are largely silent. This blog by Des Sullivan provides an avenue for some to voice their opinion and opposition to where our leaders are leading us. <br />Winston AdamsAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235138415013046381.post-22982605417870482252017-01-18T18:44:08.417-03:302017-01-18T18:44:08.417-03:30Robert, his Lord overan the planning department, f...Robert, his Lord overan the planning department, forced a change to their "independent" report on the development and ignored their request for a setback from the trans Canada. What chance is there that any planning regulations will be adhered to given the free hand his Lord has?<br /><br />Zoning control? Surely you jest! <br /><br />Where will all the middle classed families come from to buy into Gall Way by the way? <br />Bruno Marcocchiohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08076165212559914463noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235138415013046381.post-49015343507737306182017-01-18T18:30:25.196-03:302017-01-18T18:30:25.196-03:30Bernie, I too grew up in fishing outports, where l...Bernie, I too grew up in fishing outports, where local citizens, merchants did their best to develop their communities, with minimum dependence on "Sin Jhawns".<br /><br />We worked hard, shovelling salt for the fish dryer, loading fresh frozen fish product for Chicago/Atlanta, in Fortune/Grand Bank, played soccer with St.Pierraise and had a thriving trade with Cape Breton.<br /><br />The promise of rich resources development in Labrador and getting an education and jobs on the mainland, kept us restless sons and daughters of parents, who sacrificed for our betterment, looking to a future far different from what has unfolded. I could go on...Robert G Holmeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05356463540446993862noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235138415013046381.post-35961863096402135022017-01-18T17:06:35.749-03:302017-01-18T17:06:35.749-03:30I sat down the other day with the smartest man I k...I sat down the other day with the smartest man I know and our talks were about the days gone by when rural newfoundland was prosperous...I asked this 91 year old gentleman what life was like when he was a boy and how little towns survived.... He told me of farming in his area on the western part of the island which has fertile soil for growing different crops....He told me as a boy he was busy doing something every moment of the day..Milking the cows...feeding the pigs and chickens...Taking care of the horses and so on...Fishing was a strong industry also along with logging and mining...I said to him after listening and recording him for an hour or so what has happened to this great island....All we hear now is st johns and the rest of the island has fallen by the way side....He said we could be a vibrant island where we could make use of our little towns and bays for industry because people love to work and lots prefer to stay in those little areas and raise a family....You know I think he is right because if we had smart politicians who could see the potential of using areas of the province for manufacturing just like other countries do......I have been recording out talks for some time now because as old folks pass on there is no one of this generation remembering or caring it seems of the past and like he says the good times when everyone had a job to do...We have a beautiful island with good people who want to work so yes rural newfoundland can be utilized......Oh by the way that wise man is my dad....God bless newfoundland and Labrador....Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09188317810864855680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235138415013046381.post-22782575849298137572017-01-18T15:42:44.920-03:302017-01-18T15:42:44.920-03:30Hebron is a great example of how things are done h...Hebron is a great example of how things are done here...one measly little part of the pie. The module completed here is nothing compared to the whole structure....couldn't all work had been done here? would have taken longer, but who benefited? lots of money in someone's pockets...Inquiries? we need one HUGE criminal inquiry into the government since muskrats inception. The people responsible should pay. Wasn't it sanctioned on 6B, not 12B? how is it that they can get away with it all....absolutely disgusted. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235138415013046381.post-33566992622686278652017-01-18T15:06:23.496-03:302017-01-18T15:06:23.496-03:30I is sad that the Project Manager of Muskrat is pr...I is sad that the Project Manager of Muskrat is prevented the reporting of vital project information to Financial Interests and the Ratepayers, in the manner that more professional Hydro Quebec PM's are required to do. By Financial interests I am referring to the Federal and Provincial Governments. Thank you, Tom and Bernard for telling it like it is.Robert G Holmeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05356463540446993862noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235138415013046381.post-88119333798340289312017-01-18T11:53:00.905-03:302017-01-18T11:53:00.905-03:30As to rural Nfld saving itself, I learn on Thursd...As to rural Nfld saving itself, I learn on Thursday (CBC post) of A Tue event at Goose Bay, where the town is trying to save itself from being flooded if there is a breach of the North Spur.<br /> Economists are saying we will be in deep, deep trouble from a doubling of electricity rates. Yet towns on the island, and mayors are silent. Indeed rural Nfld needs to save itself, by standing up and speaking out. While the spending by government is out of control, Muskrat Falls is the elephant in the room. Rural mayors need to speak up, and stand up.Economists are also saying businesses will be in trouble from doubling of electrcity rates. Businessess too need to peak up and stand up. Perhaps we are a province of sheep, who sit and wait to be sheared.<br /> Apparently Nalcor is trying to assure Goose Bay they will not be flooded. Where is their credability. Bring back Ed Martin, he was a smooth talker!<br />Winston Adams<br />Winston AdamsAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235138415013046381.post-7976219206923665802017-01-18T01:16:25.923-03:302017-01-18T01:16:25.923-03:30The power needed for the sham village of Dannyland...The power needed for the sham village of Dannyland can easily be found as "customers" - residences and businesses - either shutter or go off the grid in rural communities. There's no net increase in power needed in adding a suburb the population of Gander when the rest of the province collectively loses a Wabush every 12-16 months.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235138415013046381.post-4316959977553935622017-01-18T01:14:16.430-03:302017-01-18T01:14:16.430-03:30And St. John's will continue to be insulated f...And St. John's will continue to be insulated from the markets by grotesque and disproportionate public-sector spending.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com