tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235138415013046381.post612091690478965429..comments2023-10-25T07:29:40.789-02:30Comments on UNCLE GNARLEY: WILL THE A-G PROBE FALSIFICATION OF MUSKRAT COST ESTIMATES?Des Sullivanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02566013585647491614noreply@blogger.comBlogger39125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235138415013046381.post-9164995437684397392017-05-14T16:17:21.716-02:302017-05-14T16:17:21.716-02:30All it takes is for a few Greens, to upset the sit...All it takes is for a few Greens, to upset the site C Dam establishment.<br /><br />Are there not one or two Greens/NDP willing to stand against the establishment Tory-minded Lib/PC's in NL?<br /><br />http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/british-columbia/bc-green-leader-andrew-weaver-is-the-most-sought-after-man-in-victoria-but-who-exactly-ishe/article34981489/Robert G Holmeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05356463540446993862noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235138415013046381.post-84525732548090588082017-05-14T15:14:04.852-02:302017-05-14T15:14:04.852-02:30I would suggest to you all, that an opportunity pr...I would suggest to you all, that an opportunity presents itself on the 25th in St. John's, to bring your concerns about Muskrat to an Atlantic Institute of Market Studies at a public event;<br />http://www.aims.ca<br />Ed is already a commissioner, and needs your support to raise the serious national consequences of the Boondoggle to higher levels of public consciousness.Robert G Holmeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05356463540446993862noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235138415013046381.post-57696766860592360782017-05-14T15:11:02.598-02:302017-05-14T15:11:02.598-02:30 The PUB rejection of the 18 percent rate hike was... The PUB rejection of the 18 percent rate hike was for the reason, they said, that 18 percent was a SHOCK RATE. Apparently 9 percent does not meet that standard of being a shock. <br /> Now given that Muskrat at some initial figure of 6 billion indicated a requirement of about 45 percent hike in rates .......that would have been a shocking shock rate. Now, at 12 billion cost, expected rates of 100 percent increase is expected.....well call it shocking shocking shocking...or crazy shocking.<br /> One assumes that a shock rate is something that is not acceptable to the public, or the PUB, but ok with the power companies and the government.<br /> So why did the PUB in 2012 or 2013, not outright reject Muskrat on the grounds that the 45 percent increase in rates necessary would be a shock rate.....instead of saying they had insufficient information to make an informed decision, which let the government off the hook to proceed with sanction.<br /> 18 percent is now a shock, but 45 percent back then was not a shock!<br />Looking ahead we can expect 2 shocks, 50 percent once the line is connected, and another 50 percent when the powerhouse is completed and running, 2 years behind the first shock.<br /> Now mitigation is intended to reduce these shocks instead each being 50 percent, perhaps to 35 or 40 percent each time. <br /> Will the PUB disallow it or have no control of it. <br /> We just averted a shock.......but not likely to avert much worse shocks soon coming.<br /> Just shocking! But what real affect will this have......<br /> I was a bit familiar with shell shocked.....but rate shocked.....that is a different animal, and something our media should further analysis and explain to the public.....I am sure most are not familiar with the term and the implication. Why was shock rates not discussed back then......and only now the term being used!<br />WAAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235138415013046381.post-51770728450830574832017-05-13T18:16:04.903-02:302017-05-13T18:16:04.903-02:30For those who missed it, Dave Vardy (with Paddy Da...For those who missed it, Dave Vardy (with Paddy Daley) stated that a few months ago he had written Bernard Coffey about the issue of the North Spur.<br /> Coffey, supposedly the Top Oversight Guy of Muskrat,never even responded to his letter. After a lengthy delay, some lesser official responded to say that his concerns were passed along to Nalcor........so much for oversight by Coffey.<br /> Given the North Spur stability is key to both safety and protection of the 6 billion asset of the power facility.... what does that say about the why Coffey held that position. Now we have a petition of 1000 people wanting assurances..........Guess that too gets passed along to Naclor.......who says Be Happy, Don`t Worry.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235138415013046381.post-41560082145602739582017-05-13T14:55:48.769-02:302017-05-13T14:55:48.769-02:30Boys or is it byes, I think you all are pissing in...Boys or is it byes, I think you all are pissing into the wind here. M'rat will be completed, if that is technically possible due to the marine clay, and NLers will pay in any case, either through rates or taxes or a combination thereof. Audits and enquiries will only cost NLers more and accomplish little. The political system here or anywhere else will not change without a revolution. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235138415013046381.post-73940918326757457332017-05-13T14:44:51.537-02:302017-05-13T14:44:51.537-02:30Like all bullies "the exalted one" will ...Like all bullies "the exalted one" will whimper like a puppy if he is ever challenged. It just takes someone with balls to go toe to toe with him. With the stench of corruption and incompetence emanating from Muskrat Falls demanding transparency now would do it.<br /><br />The 9% raise in rates is just a pre Muskrat tax that can't be justified with oil below $50 and heading south to less than $40 within a few months. This is just a sleazy way to boost rates to make the MF commissioning rate look less staggering. Surely it is time for a consumer uprising.Bruno Marcocchiohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08076165212559914463noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235138415013046381.post-12868773524076183892017-05-13T12:30:46.024-02:302017-05-13T12:30:46.024-02:30There's been quite a bit of talk over the past...There's been quite a bit of talk over the past 2 years about putting the project on ice. Also whether or not it would cost more to stop MF or allow it to continue. Stan says it's gone too far to stop but offered no substantiated evidence to support his claim. I contend the longer they can stall on this and the more money is spent, he will eventually come up with figures to continue the project as opposed to stop it. We have no protection in the expenditure of our money and never will unless the courts get involved and no one is willing to take the first step because "the exalted one" will "bare his teeth".Waynehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13071137366893117461noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235138415013046381.post-41041996513118517572017-05-13T12:28:15.064-02:302017-05-13T12:28:15.064-02:30Gerry......I see that the proposed 18 percent rate...Gerry......I see that the proposed 18 percent rate hike comes from an application filed in 2013, as this is 2017, leaves one to question the efficiency of our PUB and the cost of all these hearings , filings and re-filings......like 2 million in expenses to re-file........great for accounts and lawyers fees.<br /> The initial application consisted of 706 pages.....<br /> So how does a 18 percent hike, like magic, get dropped to 9 percent.<br /> At 706 pages I was discouraged to even look at it, but did a little review (as Ashley at the Telegram provide a link, but did no analysis herself).... and I found, as related to what to include for fuel related costs for Holyrood:<br />1. They were forced to drop the price of No 6 diesel from 93 dollars a barrel to 55 dollars.<br />2. Costs related to the new gas turbine for 2014 was adjusted down by 73 million , because the unit never got in service until 2015, instead of 2014. This suggests to me a one year delay in this and so expect to see another increase next year to cover this.<br />3. Even the power produced per barrel of oil they cheated on, by 2 percent, and had to adjust for that.<br /> Now 18 percent instead of 9 percent is in proportion with 12 billion instead of 6 billion for Muskrat. <br /> Liberty says repeatedly that Nfld-Nalcor culture has showed no significant change.......and so this is more of the same. <br /> Also, I am not an economist or an accountant, but I notice that Hydro`s average capital assets were 1.62 billion in 2015, and they show along term debt of 1.65 billion, older debts at about 10 percent interest rate and newer ones at about 3.6, with average about 6.5 percent rate.<br /> For 2015 on sales of 662 million in electricity they show a net income of 33 million. (Fortis by the way is expected to see a net income of 1 billion this year).<br /> But with Hydro`s assets more or less equal to debt, what is the market value of Hydro`s assets....... If producing 33 million is net earnings and using 10 times that , it suggests a market value of only 330 million for all of Hydro`s island assets. I must be off base........as this is peanuts.......perhaps someone can clarify it........<br /> It suggest, perhaps, MF 12 billion is probably not worth more than 1.5 billion..........if so, Fortis or Emera is waiting for opportunity to buy in dirt cheap, me thinks.<br /> Lesson learned: as a ratepayers we get screwed, and incur all the costs of this boondoggle, while if you are are Fortis or Emera shareholder.......there lies the gravy and profits, on the backs of the ordinary Joe or Jane. Might we call it a RACKET! <br />Winston<br /> Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235138415013046381.post-71798077209767698352017-05-12T22:21:06.067-02:302017-05-12T22:21:06.067-02:30Note that rate increases were 7% in 2011 and 5.4% ...Note that rate increases were 7% in 2011 and 5.4% in 2012 though the increases in the cost of oil were far less than those forecast for 2017/2018. And don’t forget we got a rebate for this time period. Is it a coincidence this rate increase comes up when Muscrat Falls is back in the news? I cn send you the 2011 and 2012 RSP’s if you wish. <br />“Rate stabilization plan 2011”<br /> “The price of oil has increased and therefore electricity rates are increasing as well,” said Jim Haynes, Hydro’s vice president of regulated operations.<br />“The fuel price projection used for setting electricity rates has climbed from $84 per barrel to $103 per barrel — almost $20 more per barrel over the last 12 months — and electricity rates will rise by approximately seven per cent effective July 1, 2011. The cost of oil is a direct pass through to consumers and neither utility receives any profits or benefits financially from changes in oil prices.”<br /> “Rate stabilization plan 2012” “<br />Rising oil prices cause increase in Rate Stabilization Plan adjustment for electricity consumers,” April 24, 2012: “Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro (Hydro) filed an updated fuel price projection for the Rate Stabilization Plan (RSP) with the Newfoundland and Labrador Board of Commissioners of Public Utilities (PUB) today. This will result in an increase in electricity rates to Newfoundland Power and therefore most electricity consumers. The fuel price projection used for setting electricity rates has climbed from $103 per barrel to $119 per barrel — $16 more per barrel over the next 12 months. As a result, the wholesale rate for electricity will increase by approximately eight per cent resulting in an RSP adjustment to consumers of an estimated 5.4 per cent effective July 1, 2012.”<br /> Gerry Goodman<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235138415013046381.post-12409599734527181492017-05-12T21:49:03.084-02:302017-05-12T21:49:03.084-02:30Heard Vardy on VOCM this morning, on the North Spu...Heard Vardy on VOCM this morning, on the North Spur issue.......Paddy Daley has slowly turned to be a serious critic of Nalcor, although rather late. He had good words in support of Vardy.<br /> If Patty is not more careful, he may end up like Sucey. But maybe Sucey gave Daley some courage, and shows a bit of the the fighting Nflder character.......a rare character trait by Nflders, as we are more sheep-like and allow ourselves to be fleesed. Even at MUN, but for the foreign students, there would be silence at the wasteful masters. Our culture , I guess, from our long colonial history.....originally not allowed to have a chimney in a house to stay warm........to discourage settlement.......and soon will have to disconnect the power line, our source of warmth.......like 400 years ago......live in a cellar or a sod hut, electricity will be for the rich only. So, who is at fault! Obama says people get the politicians they deserve, and that citizens need to stay informed and engaged.......is this the source of our problem......not caring until it is too late.........Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235138415013046381.post-45728577566089712002017-05-12T21:25:04.056-02:302017-05-12T21:25:04.056-02:30 One would thing that a senior engineer claiming c... One would thing that a senior engineer claiming complete falsification at Nalcor that one of two things would happen<br />1. Have him (or her) charged with mental incompetence.....take him to the Waterford and locked up for a week.....and treat him like Crockwell (as Hydro once treated him), or as the RNC recently did with the guy from Corner Brook.......which is what happens in third world countries, and here at times...<br />2. Take serious the allegations, and the Minister of Justice ask the police to take his allegations as the basis of a police investigation of the same, for fraud by those responsible. <br /> Instead, there is silence by officials, it takes 4 months for the CBC to take it serious, and the Telegram ignores it.<br /> It suggests a lack of justice at all levels. Even now, no one objects to a forensic audit, but no one with authority will initiate one.......hoping it will be forgotten<br /> The fraud of some 100 million that recently got dismissed by our court of appeal, but now will be heard by the Supreme Court of canada, had been ongoing for some 10 years. Here we now deal with billions......the guilty will die of old age, as the wheel of justice is in bad need of some grease<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235138415013046381.post-26667041343598103752017-05-12T18:59:08.465-02:302017-05-12T18:59:08.465-02:30Follow the money. Who owns the numbered companies...Follow the money. Who owns the numbered companies getting the contracts. It is difficult to believe that Nalcor was that incompetent without someone influencing and making a lot of money on the backs of the rate payers. Take the Astaldi contract as an example. Even the average home owner knows that you don't build a house based on cost plus.<br />This should be a fraud investigation and I don't know if the AG is equipped to do it even if the money is made available. There needs to be legal approvals given to dig into the ownerships both here and in Italy and perhaps other countries. The bottom line is that about $3000 per year is going to be taken each year from the average home owner to support this boondoggle probably fraud and jail sentences will go a lot further than new policies to protect it from happening again.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235138415013046381.post-76115486125176205232017-05-12T16:17:21.321-02:302017-05-12T16:17:21.321-02:30Interesting : a 100 or more dams built in BC to st...Interesting : a 100 or more dams built in BC to store water for gas companies to do fracking; built without permits and no designs approved..........wow......make no wonder the Green Party had recent success in BC. Thanks for the link Robert<br />WAAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235138415013046381.post-12014066671921644772017-05-12T15:40:13.885-02:302017-05-12T15:40:13.885-02:30they are burning that garbage at muskrat too!they are burning that garbage at muskrat too!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235138415013046381.post-12000048823089685232017-05-12T12:55:14.713-02:302017-05-12T12:55:14.713-02:30Here is what you get, when the "Government of...Here is what you get, when the "Government of the People", persist in self regulation, (Professional Reliance), with respect to Christie's business partnerships with Foreign and National Fossil Fuel Corporations; It's all about Dams and compromised Governments.<br /><br />http://www.policynote.ca/dam-big-problem/Robert G Holmeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05356463540446993862noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235138415013046381.post-80771545178431417622017-05-12T12:13:10.980-02:302017-05-12T12:13:10.980-02:30Slowly, ever slowly, the Power and Authority crowd...Slowly, ever slowly, the Power and Authority crowd seem to be admitting that all is not well with the project accounts. Stan must know by now how the contract administration has been tampered with. The CA is required by normal professional, (Cost Engineering, Quantity Surveyor),process to forecast cost to complete, including allowance for changes in process, disputes registered, and contingency. Stan knows the situation, but is he permitted to report? <br /><br />Independent Audit long over due. Not much room for procrastination by the Government and NALCOR.Robert G Holmeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05356463540446993862noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235138415013046381.post-12400680316355188582017-05-12T11:58:25.361-02:302017-05-12T11:58:25.361-02:30LEAVE IT TO THE AG says the editorial of the Teleg...LEAVE IT TO THE AG says the editorial of the Telegram, which I assume was written by Russell.<br /> His reasons.......one is : what if it gets to throwing good money after bad, as a forensic audit would be an added expense.......so he is inline with Stan Marshall`s opinion....likely a waste of money.<br /> Russell says `the last few days a former Nalcor engineer suggested to the CBC that the project should undergo a forensic audit, that the estimates used were unrealistic from the start`<br /> Well, lets get this straight: 4 months ago this blog quoted that engineer. He said `I could not put up with the falsifying information anymore. The original cost of 6.2 billion was a complete falsification........to appear favourable to the cost of the thermal power generation`<br /> Now I take his words of COMPLETE FALSIFICATION to be actions of a criminal nature.......in other words FRAUD.<br /> Russell, of course uses the words `the numbers used were unrealistic`.<br /> Russell goes on to say that `a series of INFORMED ASSUMPTIONS has been made (by Nalcor) to argue for the project,some , if not all , of those projections might turn out to be wrong. <br /> He goes on to defend the Telegram`s record : We questioned MF for years. He concludes by saying that if there was a crime, that the AG could uncover it. So no forensic audit needed. So saith Russell.<br /> Of course the Telegram, And Russell has pussyfooted on this boondoggle for years. When he says :We have questioned.......who has he questioned........did he seek out this Nalcor engineer, or anyone in an investigative style. His so called questions has been little more than soft opinions of his, many which were not well informed. It is perhaps not too severe to suggest that the Telegram has been an enabler of this boondoggle, in their lack of any serious investigation.<br /> Even Stan Marshall said the project was sanctioned based on false assumptions.......yet Russell goes a step further, saying they used INFORMED ASSUMPTIONS.<br /> Informed assumptions or Complete Falsification.......not the same in my book. Certain reasonable principles apply is estimating and arriving at costs, and the notion that Nalcor was World Class, suggests those principles were prudently used. Complete falsification does not meet the standard of prudence in the mind of a reasonable person,I suggest. How can Russell argue that they used informed assumptions. Informed by who and what......to have gotten everything wrong.<br /> It begs the question......is Russell a reasonable thinking person to write such an editorial. I would not yet suggest Russell has fallen so low as to be on the FBI list ( for a public flogging), as perhaps he wrote his editorial after a few too many drinks, or smoking some weed, or a medication effect, or other temporary impairment of the mind, which we all can be subject to from time to time. And one can always change their mind. <br /> As I generally enjoy Russell`s writing, I do hope he gets well, and comes over from the dark side. One is either a part of the solution or part of the problem. Russell seems part of the problem .......a pity.<br />Winston AdamsAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235138415013046381.post-69040681331296541362017-05-11T21:38:01.363-02:302017-05-11T21:38:01.363-02:30Readers must have heard that profits have SURGED a...Readers must have heard that profits have SURGED at Nalcor, to 57 million for the quarter, up from 29 million last year, says Stan Marshall<br /> Now Nalcor includes 6.5 million increase from higher oil productions at Hibernia and the price being up 13 dollars (thanks to Russia and the Saudis).<br /> Yet on the electricity side of things, power sales from Nfld Hydro is down (there goes the Nalcor forecast down the tube) and profit from Churchill Falls is also down ( another Nalcor failure to allow for USA shale gas generation).<br /> 75 percent of Nalcors assets produce no income, as most is tied up in Muskrat Falls. Yet the more they spend , the greater the value of their assets, on the assumption that the 12 billion boondoggle is worth 12 billion. <br /> As the government has pumped some 3 billion into Muskrat, as equity, interest on that is about 120 million a year , or 30 million a quarter. So Nalcor shows a paper profit on a propped up asset value, while we the taxpayers pay the Nalcor interest costs via the levy and higher taxes and fees to make Nalcor look good. Robbing Peter to pay Paul. <br /> Fortis, on the other hand, makes real profits. ....281 million in the same quarter, an increase of 48 percent from last year.<br /> How do we know they are real......well , they issue dividends, real dividends, 1.53 per share in 2016, and have increased every year since 1972. <br />Can anyone guess what Stan`s dividend income from Fortis is.......<br /> Know if Nalcor wasn`t hurting, would they have tried to get a 18 percent rate hike past the PUB, and then admit they could do with half of that........gosh, with all their profits, Nalcor could for the time being leave the rates as is....given the hits the taxpayer is already taking because of the boondoggle.<br /> Now Stan accused Nalcor of using false assumptions for the boondoggle.......false assumptions made before he came on board. <br /> So, are these surging profits of Nalcor fake of real.......<br /> And was the 18 percent needed as a power hike for July 1st, fake or really necessary. They have already admitted that the need for 18 percent was false, having now submitted 5 alternatives at almost half of what they asked for.<br /> Now if only Nalcor had properly assessed 5 good alternatives for our island power needs,in 2012, under Stan`s leadership, instead of only two proposed by Ed Martin, Stan might have saved us 10 or 12 billion.<br />But that is hindsight......<br /> Did Stan, as the Fortis boss, put any proposals to our government., ......I mean sane proposals,as alternatives to Muskrat, or just stay silent knowing the likely outcome.<br /> Now Stan seems to be up to Nalcor`s old tricks......fake profits. Fake asset value. <br /> When do we see a real dividend from Nalcor!<br /> When do we get the good news of substantial mitigation of power rates coming down the pipeline from Muskrat......mitigation that Stan promised. Mitigation on rates that is not just billed via new taxes from Cathy Bennett. <br />Stan..... a straight shooter.......not any more, me thinks.<br />Winston Adams <br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235138415013046381.post-46029128703837793732017-05-11T16:35:32.413-02:302017-05-11T16:35:32.413-02:30I could hear the shredders from Nalcor this mornin...I could hear the shredders from Nalcor this morning all the way down in TorbayAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235138415013046381.post-42971539201936995392017-05-11T13:56:09.134-02:302017-05-11T13:56:09.134-02:30Great to hear you're not considering for the j...Great to hear you're not considering for the job the AG from.... Manitoba ;-)Ex-Military Engrhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15209511368820589727noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235138415013046381.post-87683298101573192292017-05-11T13:38:43.227-02:302017-05-11T13:38:43.227-02:30I am inclined to agree, John. Previously, I have a...I am inclined to agree, John. Previously, I have asked on this Blog for accountability at the Federal Level, and have had lukewarm response. Now I would favour an independent international auditor for the reasons you give. "This project will not be stopped because too many people are making too much money." <br /><br />Harold A. Innis in his "The Cod Fisheries" provided an objective view of why Newfoundland found itself bankrupt in 1933, through mismanagement of its own resources. History repeats.Robert G Holmeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05356463540446993862noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235138415013046381.post-49841599792025273982017-05-11T13:23:32.540-02:302017-05-11T13:23:32.540-02:30I am afraid that a forensic audit from within Nfld...I am afraid that a forensic audit from within Nfld cannot be trusted. To be truly effective it would need to be done by firm from outside of Canada, preferably the US or the EU, with experience in large scale construction projects and looking for corruption. What has been going on at MF cannot si ply be written off as lack of experience or even incompetence. The smoking gun is that draft-tube collapse report. Given the number of P.Eng.'s, managers, and organizations involved the only rational conclusion to come to is that there is oblvious malfeasance going on at MF. Couple this with the allegations of phony cost estimates and we have a potential for thirld-world style corruption using billions of dollars of public money. I am amking serious allegations but I cannot come to any other conclusion. You do not need to have Phd from MIT or Stanford to design and oversee the construction of structural concrete formwork. Nor, do you need 25 years of mega project experience to accurately estimate costs for a project which is largely composed of civil works and equipment installation of tried and true technology. Some will say the terrain and weather is unpredictable and at the limits technical feasability. Bullshit. Work has been done in northern Canada and around the world in conditions just as harsh. Finally, as with any despotic regime, the corruption begins with secrets, morphs into lies, then goes to work with other people's money. This project will not be stopped because too many people are making too much money. When it is over there should be an accounting for what was done. We will probably get a royal commission with a limited mandate and the same actors we are used to but dont expect an American-style congressional inquiry and don't expect to see handcuffs and pleadings. Things are not so different now as they were in 1933. If there is to be real change it will have to come from without as our own apple is rotten to the core.<br /><br />As an aside, anyone interested in where this province is headed should be following what is going on in Puerto Rico. The NYtimes has had several rcent articles about changes coming to thier island economy.<br /><br />John D Pippy<br /><br />.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03044966985727657714noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235138415013046381.post-39050518735557990812017-05-11T13:20:27.042-02:302017-05-11T13:20:27.042-02:30You may be right Wayne about the AG being ill equi...You may be right Wayne about the AG being ill equipped to do a thorough review. The problem is that by the time a Royal Commission reports NL will be insolvent. It may be useful for documenting democratic perversions for future generations. Will it provide comfort to ratepayers on the hook for the next 57 years? I doubt it.<br /><br />Putting MF on hold until competent fiscal analysis and an engineering review is done by independent parties is the only way to limit the damage to life and limb and the treasury.Bruno Marcocchiohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08076165212559914463noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235138415013046381.post-54110237978161110502017-05-11T13:18:29.834-02:302017-05-11T13:18:29.834-02:30The OAG also has expertise in auditing Crown Corpo...The OAG also has expertise in auditing Crown Corporations (Nalcor might fit this definition) and smaller Departements that don't possesses Internal Audit fonction.Ex-Military Engrhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15209511368820589727noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235138415013046381.post-82715961462051079042017-05-11T13:00:19.231-02:302017-05-11T13:00:19.231-02:30Bruno, the improved forecasting tool you refer, I ...Bruno, the improved forecasting tool you refer, I assume is that which incorporated END-USE research, as mentioned by Manitoba Hydro International Consultant. It is a sort of verification of prediction for forecasting, that is more accurate, it not just shows patterns, but can verify energy savings and peak demand reduction instead of just making assumptions which are often false , and often known to be false or very misleading. The latter is what Nfld, both Nfld Power and Nfld Hydro use and continue to use.<br /> Nova Scotia, I discovered just recently, changed to a partial End -USE method long ago , and fully by 2014.<br /> There has been no requirement by government policy here or pressure by others to adopt the best practices used elsewhere (JM , I believe has noted that deficiency in his analysis). It is to the interest of Muskratreers to avoid such best methods, and the avoidance of best methods therefore helped their cause for the Muskrat sanction. <br /> Can you name a single MHA who is familiar with or promoted end-use research for electricity use forecasting! It is a foreign concept to them, no doubt. And it is a odd term......one might think of it as Trust but Verify, which really means do not trust the usual forecasting method. <br /> This is a key point, as justification of MF required poor and exaggerated forecasting.......easily achieved when ignoring best methods. Maurice has often correctly cited the errors inherent in their forecasting, over long time frames.<br /> As Muskrat was to solve our growing electric winter demand, efficient heat would be a prime application for end-use research input for our energy policy.<br /> And to my comment posted below at 10:26, whereby I refer to the Wise Men, I use that term with sincerely, and would include JM, Bruno, and others that have contributed to pointing out many of the flaws of Muskrat, on their own time and without any public resources of Nalcor.... who produced what Stan Marshall states was FALSE ASSUMPTIONS made. They were not made by accident. It was by design. And the false estimates as to costs, as noted by the Nalcor engineer was but one part of a great deception on the public.<br />WinstonAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com