tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235138415013046381.post9038073135314177834..comments2023-10-25T07:29:40.789-02:30Comments on UNCLE GNARLEY: THE NDP CHASING RABBITS (PLUS A TOM OSBORNE POSTSCRIPT)Des Sullivanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02566013585647491614noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235138415013046381.post-83284242721396211662013-08-27T11:28:00.498-02:302013-08-27T11:28:00.498-02:30You ask " were the domestic demand numbers ja...You ask " were the domestic demand numbers jacked up to justify the MF project"<br /> Remember , the domestic demand is essentially a forecast by Nfld Power, as they are the distributor and serve most all of the domestic market, but generate relatively little power themselves.<br /> They make a profit as a percentage of sales. Their profit increases if the power sales increases, and also if the rate per kwh increases. A robust forecast, and higher power cost from new generation INCREASES their revenue and profit. Any they have no skin in the game, incurring no expenses for the new generation and transmission lines from Muskrat Falls. And if there forecast for demand is wrong, their is no accountability on their part. The ratepayers take all the risk..... but based on their forecast.<br /> A robust Conservation and Efficiency policy by Nfld Power could have averted the Muskrat option in favour of the Isolated option. Other jurisdictions are spending 5 times more and achieving 10 times more in efficiency savings, lower power consumption and savings for domestic customers. Nfld Power resists such a robust program, to the benefit of their profit structure and shareholders. Lets put the majority of the blame for the domestic forecast where it belongs..... at the doorstep of Nfld Power, a Fortis owned company. And of course Nalcor didn't challenge that forecast. It fitted with their plan. One has merely to compare our Efficieny plan with British Columbia, Vermont , or many other jurisdictions to see what they do to cut domestic demand forecasts and stabilize or cut electricity costs to residential customers. The program here is shameful.... and we'll pay a high price for not being progressive in energy efficiency measures.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235138415013046381.post-21715912851020401132013-08-26T12:30:00.757-02:302013-08-26T12:30:00.757-02:30Liberals and especially NDP pulled punched on MF w...Liberals and especially NDP pulled punched on MF while PCs suckered punched NL in the night from behind with brass knuckles and barbed wire.<br /><br />MF might have been a good project but NNLPCs get the award for worst salespeople on Earth. Mixed messages, non-answers, extremely heavy reliance on ONE Economics professor at MUN - other faculties either weren't consulted or their answers didn't fit the scope of acceptable answers.<br /><br />No one finds it odd that MUN has remained mostly silent on the largest capital works project in NL history? Even the blatantly pro econ prof crusader of MF hasn't said a peep in months - taking a sabbatical to help NLPCs: UPDATE your presentation on MF before venturing into other avenues!<br /><br />Leaving work unfinished doesn't help the case of any precised bias. Backed the wrong horse and now leaving the track?<br /><br />If not for a small group of concerned citizens sharing their expertise and doing their research on MF there would be minimal information available.<br /><br />Ideally the lead on MF should be someone whom could answer the plethora of questions from citizens (it's obvious no elected member can confidentially answer MF Qs) but the 2 headed hydra of Nalcor Ed and Gill are AS impressive as Russel Crowe's musical performance in Les Mes... (Zero out of 4 tony awards for ref stopped watching after 90 seconds).<br /><br />Are the NLNDP being politically sensitive/aware of 2 brethren backers of MF-ML Federal NDP and NSNDP - thereby unwilling to ruffle feathers (therefor NOT doing their job for NL) 30% NLNDP MQO poll is nice but could slide by 2015. <br /><br />Post Liberal leadership they simply can't oppose for Opposition sake but show how they will govern if elected. MF should be a key plank for the Liberals in the HoA between now and 2015. <br /><br />Differentiating how either Liberal/NDP will govern and collect themselves will have an affect on the popular vote - yes NLPCs are haggard worn dogs whom will be 5 years past their best before date in 2015 - but that is mostly self inflected damage. <br /><br />Start looking for 48 candidates now and not weeks before the election! AChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06779383664665696092noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235138415013046381.post-78259174116735974602013-08-26T08:52:10.452-02:302013-08-26T08:52:10.452-02:30Des. If Nalcor capitulate to the UARB there is th...Des. If Nalcor capitulate to the UARB there is the potential that it will increae our rates. If they do not capitulate, then the FLG is in potential jeopardy. It is a precarious position, and one which has not received the attention it deserves. Really the UARB condition will undermine the entire business case for MF. It is the great paradox of the project in that a long term customer, willing to pay market rates, is a problem for the project. The reason is that the project requires a monopoly with rates 3x market for this project to be financed. <br /><br />The response from Nalcor and the Provincial government in how they are to proceed has been non existant. The silence is deafening on all fronts. <br /><br />Also Emera has recently stated that the whole deal would have to go back to the UARB once an agreement is reached with Nalcor. If there is any chance for our rates to be increased, why not send it to the PUB? The review could be completed in parralel with what is going on in Nova Scotia. <br /><br />That is what the opposition parties should be pushing for. But I do not think people truly understand the true consequences of the UARB decision. <br /><br /> Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com