County legislators ask for delay in decision over Southern Loop

Big mistake to delay this vital project.

Big mistake, this vile project.

Go Forward Not Back wrote:

Big mistake, this vile project.

Please read my post on the IBM topic. I would be interestd to understand why you think this project is a mistake.

Nice article Mr. Audette.
The next time you interview Senator Shumlin, would you please ask him if his objection to this project has anything to do with his desire to close Vermont Yankee?
Also, could you tell us how many man hours it would take to construct this project. Would this project create any immediate jobs in the state? What is the projected long term benefit to Rutland for example in serving business needs and job creation?

Domestic Energy wrote:

<quoted text>
Please read my post on the IBM topic. I would be interestd to understand why you think this project is a mistake.

OK, here are my reasons:

A. It presupposes that large amounts of electricity will always come from Vernon, which may not be true in the medium term and is definitely not true in the long term;

B. It is estimated to cost $300 million; then factor in cost overruns. For a piece of infrastructure that may be obsolete in 2012. And who will pay for it? Us.

C. It is a plan and a design that originated before the new emphasis on diffuse-source power generation and demand-side efficiency, so that by the time it is completed, the Southern Loop will already be out of sync with the new array of electricity sources and demand.

D. Aside from changes in supply and demand, the current Southern Loop design is obsolete technologically; see the testimony of Kurt Yeager.

E. The behavior of David O'Brien in pushing this project in the face of any and all questions is extremely suspicious and reminiscent of the phony oversight of the nuclear industry by an industry-captive NRC.

At the very least, before running up a $300 million bill and charging it to all of us, Velco should study likely future demand and supply patterns and newer transmission technology, and invest in something that will serve us for longer.

Dar, thanks for the good questions to ask.

I will follow up on them this week, as we expect the PSB to issue its decision anytime.

Bob.

Mr. Audette,
Would you please add to your questions of Senator Shumlin the following:
Would he specify the locations of the smaller generating stations that are currently being planned and would render the Southern Loop project unecessary. How long does he anticipate the permiiting process to take place for these facilities and at what spot market cost to ratepayers. I have heard estimated costs up to 30% higher until these smaller stations are on line. Is he considering the possibility that Vernon might approve a replacement station once VY is closed, and if so wouldn't that again make such a project necessary?
You know what I think Mr. Audette, I think Senator Shumlin knows we don't have a chance of building even one new power station in Vermont. I think Senator Shumlin's first objective is to close VY and then he will admit that we must increase our reliance on Canadian power. I think Mr. Shumlin already knows that we can't grow jobs and at the same time reduce baseload power.

Electrical demand, and electrical supply, are actually going to go down as the US (and western world) economy continues to tank. We are just at the beginning of the real slide. We need to think about simplifying, lowering consumption, mass transit, and local food and energy sources. Or, just consider that a wild eyed idea. And wait and watch. Any "Stimulus" spending at this point, is like bringing a firehose to a flood. Its actually going to accelerate and lengthen the depth of the coming depression.

The Nations population is projected to increase to 392 million by 2050 - more than 50 percent increase from the 1990 population size. Are none of these people planning on living in Vermont?

Who chooses to live in VT is irrelevant, population, and per-capita consumption in our nation, and on our little planet, now greatly outstrips long term resource supply.

So, it will adjust no matter what. We can either be proactive, or reactive, but we will be radically downscaling no matter what.

Stewart L wrote:

Who chooses to live in VT is irrelevant, population, and per-capita consumption in our nation, and on our little planet, now greatly outstrips long term resource supply.
So, it will adjust no matter what. We can either be proactive, or reactive, but we will be radically downscaling no matter what.

Will you be the first to give up your computer and flat screen tv? What else are you planning to give up? We have the technology to solve these issues now. Vermont's "energy crises" is contrived, unnecessary. Vermont's "energy crises" has to do with politics and fear. It has nothing to do with our inability to meet growing energy demands. We have the lowest carbon footprint, we have the technology to keep it that way. We have domestic baseload energy available for the next 20 years. We need to improve transmission reliability to get it to the people. You know the old Lottery ticket Joke?
A man prayed to God every day that he would win the lottery and solve all of his financial troubles. He went to church and prayed every day, but he did not win. One day in despiration the man curses God and says, "Why have you abandoned me in my greatest need". God answered, " I want to help you, but you have to buy a lottery ticket first"!

Domestic Energy wrote:

<quoted text>
Will you be the first to give up your computer and flat screen tv? What else are you planning to give up? We have the technology to solve these issues now. Vermont's "energy crises" is contrived, unnecessary. Vermont's "energy crises" has to do with politics and fear. It has nothing to do with our inability to meet growing energy demands. We have the lowest carbon footprint, we have the technology to keep it that way. We have domestic baseload energy available for the next 20 years. We need to improve transmission reliability to get it to the people. You know the old Lottery ticket Joke?
A man prayed to God every day that he would win the lottery and solve all of his financial troubles. He went to church and prayed every day, but he did not win. One day in despiration the man curses God and says, "Why have you abandoned me in my greatest need". God answered, " I want to help you, but you have to buy a lottery ticket first"!

Typical head-in-the-sand blindness. Stewart L is right - we have a demand problem as well as a supply problem, and we've got to work on both. But not you - your super-simple solution is more nukes, that's solves all problems.

In case you haven't noticed, a lot of Vermonters aren't happy with that 'solution'. So try to think of something else.

Please stop your screeching about what you assume. I strongly support renewable domestic energy. We do not have it in place and will not have it in place by 2012. Do you understand that? Do you understand that every proposal has been denied for environmental reasons? Do you understand that with each solar and windmill station, infrastructue must come with that? Do you understand that while Vermonters agree with smaller stations in theory, they reject them when they impact their personal property? In therory, Vermonters support conservation....but you and I still have our computers.
You are like a child screeching in the Dr. office because you don't want to get your rubella shot. Do your parents walk out of the doctors office, or do they make sure you get your shot to keep you and others healthy? Stop stamping your feet and throwing a fit. Vermont needs these next 20 years in order to put replacement baseload renewable energy in place.
We have three choices; A)extend VY, B) Increase our carbon footprint & rates or C)purchase more foregin & increas rates.
Vermont has waited too long to devleope alternatives by 2012. All I am asking you to do is to think.

respond anytime now please

Its possible he hasn't logged on yet since you posted your brilliant (in a "legend in your own mind" kind of way) reply. Stop whining and get over yourself.

Fact: Vermont Yankee will continue to operate long beyond 2012. Hopefully a new reactor will be built, insuring safe clean energy for another 40 years from VY; thus a need for new powerlines.

Fact: America is done as an economic superpower. So we need to be proactive. Be strong. Be REAL men/women and start PLANNING for contraction. We don't need to be building new stuff, or even trying to maintain the status quo. That is a childish fools game. We need to have the courage to get our basic low level infrastructure rebuilt. And not build NEW anything.

But don't believe me. Watch and wait, and then when it goes to hell, gosh -- it must be all the LIBERALS fault!

VY and it's employee's...yes I am one of them for many years....have peacefully and responsibly coexisted with our neighbors for years. We have respected the oppositions right to protest and we have shared our successes and failures in an open and honest fashion. The employees have been great contributors to the tri-state community and we reflect a broad spectrum of political views. I would appreciate it if all of the ANTI-NUKES would remember that their name calling and critical comments are really aimed at us...the VY workers. We are the ones who run the plant, we are not victims, we are custodians with a great responsibility and we take it seriously! This is not about Liberals or Conservatives, it's about all of us living and working together to ensure the stabiltiy of our region, int terms of energy and environmental security.

whiner

Transplantforlife wrote:

VY and it's employee's...yes I am one of them for many years....have peacefully and responsibly coexisted with our neighbors for years. We have respected the oppositions right to protest and we have shared our successes and failures in an open and honest fashion. The employees have been great contributors to the tri-state community and we reflect a broad spectrum of political views. I would appreciate it if all of the ANTI-NUKES would remember that their name calling and critical comments are really aimed at us...the VY workers. We are the ones who run the plant, we are not victims, we are custodians with a great responsibility and we take it seriously! This is not about Liberals or Conservatives, it's about all of us living and working together to ensure the stabiltiy of our region, int terms of energy and environmental security.

Thank you for that.