Is wind energy an example of smoke and mirrors?
Wednesday, February 25, 2009 at 11:11AM The quote below is a response to John Harrigan's article about the proposed industrial windfarm in Coos County. The article, "smoke and mirrors" appears in Monday's Union Leader.
From an economic standpoint I think there are issues of variability and the larger question of exactly how much taxbase an energy project like this would bring to an already depressed Coos County. I'm confident the debate and the economics will continue on. It always does.
But my questions are the role of the local elected officials in this whole project. From the response,
"Ray Burton is doing and song and dance for it, yet if you ask him questions concerning wind energy he doesn't know the answers. And then there is Fred King, a long time politician that doesn't know when to leave. I guess greed becomes a way of life."
Does greed become a way of life? I don't find the performance of Councilor Burton to be surprising. Not long ago I asked him to explain why he supports spending $10 million dollars on the St. Lawrence & Atlantic Railroad through Coos County. A project that I think mostly benefits Maine. I found his response to be like the quote above. I'm also frustrated by his performance as a Grafton County Commissioner, recently he proposed removing the Grafton County Treasurer and replacing her with someone who doesn't even want the position.
"I'm not voting for any e-mails or any half-baked ideas." Burton said.
I'm glad the next election is never more than two years away. Not that that will make a heck of alot of difference but at least there is the idea of issues that can get better.
Because something needs to happen.
"Thank you John Harrigan!!! Perhaps you will have some influence in getting the article printed in the News and Sentinel in Colebrook area. They have not cooperated in any article concerning this industrial wind farm. Thanks to the Union Leader and your guts to write it.
As I read some of these comments I can see that there are a few people that are being sucked into "green energy" by industrial wind farms believing that it will lower our carbon print and lower our bills. Please do research, it will not.
Noble Environmental Services is working in the same fashion in Coos County as they did in upper state New York. Allegations of payoffs to officials; silencing locals either with money or intimidation and scare tatics.
Mark Lyons and his crew has been handed this County on a silver platter by our County Commissioners. Ray Burton is doing and song and dance for it, yet if you ask him questions concerning wind energy he doesn't know the answers. And then there is Fred King, a long time politician that doesn't know when to leave. I guess greed becomes a way of life.
Open your eyes Coos County residents because you are about to be shafted by paying for this big industrial project. Second jobs---will they be available to us to help pay for this mess when the politicians have been paid off and the corporation has left town and the destruction it has left to us and the environment????
Think about it!!!!!!"
- Kathlyn Keene, Jefferson, New Hampshire
Reader Comments (11)
Great insight! I am in favor of projects that will save money for consumers (make money) using private investments. If governmental, I want to see hard facts and not projected savings. Are you aware of the biomass project coming to your back yard? A fantastic presentation was given explaining the benefits; all done by very intelligent (professional) people. There are two large factors that tagalong with this project. 1. Do you want to pay taxes to keep energy dollars in the area? I am referring to oil versus wood chips. Wood chips provide business for loggers. They had figures on cost, but none on the bonding. There were no actual figures on savings, either. 2. The savings will come (hopefully) from the projected rise in oil prices. Big deal. Therefore, the project will only justify another tax in their minds. The ‘spend, tax and feel good’ mentality reigns again. You’ve already paid for this study via a grant, so get ready to open your wallet.
On another note, if you’ve read any negative stories about our new County Treasurer (Sievers), please note that they are nothing more than vicious, slanderous, and otherwise hypocritical lies. Due to bitterness and hostilities on the part of the exiting Treasurer (Elliot and her supporters), there was no transition period for Ms. Sievers other than some direction by the Executive Director. One of her first duties was to transfer funds from the Sheriff’s reserve fund and the Registry of Deeds funds. She placed the money with a different bank, gaining a higher rate of interest. This angered many people (I just can‘t imagine why). Commissioner Burton wanted to strip her of her title and responsibilities because she doesn’t conduct business the old fashioned (his) way. It all backfired on him once they all saw just how responsible and knowledgeable she is. Truly, no matter what the political party, I certainly hope that any elected officials have the ability and desire to manage our tax dollars with as much transparency as she will. Her fabulous new website (graftontreasurer.us) is not complete, but will provide all investment information right down to the banks, their security levels, and the rate of interest return. I’m curious to know if Commissioner Burton does or does not want the taxpayers to really know what goes on with their money. How about you? She’s clearly a taxpayers’ dream (regardless of age or party), and an old politician’s nightmare. Disgraceful behavior such as Mr. Burton has exhibited should not be ignored. Perhaps the Republican Party should plan to swipe the nominations from him (both positions) come primary time. Certainly, it would prevent the embarrassment of more losses due to smear tactics. This type of vicious personal assassination has all but gone by the wayside, and doesn’t work anymore. If anything, it only creates a backlash situation. I’ve been wrong before, but I really think he’s done. Two blunders in two months has caused a lot of eyebrow raising! The real kick to this story is that had any hard feelings, hostilities and errors been handled internally, no one would have ever known about it.
HBrown
Another slant on the arguement about Coos County is sheer investment. At least the arguement can be made that investments are being made in Coos County and this may help the future. But I still think the missing word here is strategy. I think the papermills in Groveton and Gorham could have in fact remained open, continued to offer employment and taxbase to northern New Hampshire. But for this to happen it would have required a substantial capital investment to upgrade both production and markets. Rep. Hodes did step in but late.
Regardless of whether this windfarm is a good idea or not I don't see it happening. The project which makes generous use of collateral and leverage simply can't be competitive against reliable and standby and lower cost power sources including woodchips, which is still a cash crop for New Hampshire. But again I don't see a heck of alot of strategy behind elected officials, including Councilor Burton really trying to advance anything that has any coherent meaning. I think this unfortunate especially for someone who has been in office 30 years!
As I'm writing this DRED Comissioner George Bald is visiting or has visting the declining Ethan Allen plant in Beecher Falls, VT. More loss of employment and again no apparant strategy, at least to me, to do anything to stop the slide of inertia to the downfall of northern New Hampshire.
Grafton County Treasurer. Thanks for posting this. Speaking of the news media how come they aren't covering the lawsuit involving the $38 million dollar jail? What is the status of this lawsuit?
The next election is "never more than two years away." But I don't see any major changes happening at least in the next election cycle. I don't think the state Republican party is any position to offer support and resources to a candidate in opposition to the incumbent. Though an interesting side note the Democratic opponet whose name escapes me did capture about 40% of the votes in Executive Council District 1 this is with little advertising and no name recognition. Imagine what would have happened if he actually poured some money and resources into his campaign? A ten point spread isn't unreachable for 2010.
But in the end the only real change will happen in northern New Hampshire will come down to one word.
Time.
They wouldn’t publish it, but they managed to print five pictures of Ray in one single edition. It’s very evident to me that the Valley News is in the county’s pocket too. It became very evident during the fiasco involving the new treasurer. Go to: nhpr.org, click on ‘news,’ and about the third story down is entitled “Tempest Over A Treasurer” - enjoy listening to an excellent account of last Tuesday’s meeting.
The Valley News published an article about the redesigned plans for the new jail. The plan reduces the number of beds to 162. Your cost for this plan? $300,000 dollars. They ran a story about the treasurer, as well. The only two non-biased papers in our area are the Spectator and the Caledonian Record. The jail project cannot proceed until the lawsuit is settled. The county attorneys’ fees are at $325,000 dollars (paid to date) to defend the delegation’s bond vote. The plaintiffs have requested $212,000, and the county has only offered $23,000 thus far. Let’s not forget that the plaintiffs have vowed to appeal the decision, and the lawsuit can‘t proceed until the attorney fees are settled. Some talk about another vote, thinking that if the price tag is lower, it will pass. Maybe. Because of the lawsuit, the county’s title is cloudy. Investors will stay away. It’s possible that a new vote may not be allow until the lawsuit is settled. I’m no lawyer, and that’s just my opinion. I understand there is a gentleman currently writing an extensive article on the jail. He is spending significant time with Supt. Libby. We already know how this story will read. They have already spent at least $1.4 million on the site layout and design plans for the jail project.
There’s also another lawsuit pending because the delegation held an illegal meeting at the State House to approved a pay raise ($1,000 each, totaling $4,000) for the elected officials. The attorney fees for that mess total $16,000! Do you think this is brilliant decision making? Do you think the Commissioners have any respect for your tax dollars?
HBrown
"There’s also another lawsuit pending because the delegation held an illegal meeting at the State House to approved a pay raise ($1,000 each, totaling $4,000) for the elected officials. The attorney fees for that mess total $16,000! Do you think this is brilliant decision making? Do you think the Commissioners have any respect for your tax dollars? "
I hope that you will consider writing a letter to the editor on this one, Mr. Brown. I think it does make a difference. While on the subject of the jail bond vote I don't think any measure will pass, and further I don't think New Hampshire will receive anywhere near the anticipated amts. for the economic stimulus passed by Washington so where does this leave New Hampshire as a state?
But there are alternatives...
Recently, I was in Atlantic City, NJ even with economic conditions as they are projects such as redevelopment are moving forward, I understand Steve Wynn is proposing a new casino on the old municipal airport property, a multimillion dollar project that will bring jobs, taxbase and economic development to the Jersey shore.
New Hampshire could be doing exactly this. Collecting millions of dollars in new tax revenue and enhancing the state's largest industry, there would also be funds available for a new Grafton County Jail.
In the end I think it comes down to an economic arguement over whether the glass is half empty or half full. Perhaps in New Hampshire it is half empty, I think the direction now should be to add more water.
Bernie Marvin did as well.
I would also suggest the Littleton Courier. It would be a nice break from the NCES Landfill. But keep in mind this is Littleton, the place is a little fragmented and self absorbed these days.
As well they should be....
Have you visited Treasurer Siever’s blog? You will find $163,000 in the sheriff’s reserve account. Why. The $163.000 should be returned to the taxpayers. The why, Burton will find a way to piss the money away on some foolish project. In the news today Woodsville Savings received $6.9 million of TARP funds. Originally the treasurer did not want to invest county funds with the Woodsville Savings. The devil’s ugly head is raising.. You can see for yourself why Burton is against Ms. Sievers. Do you think he is in favor of such transparency? Also in the news MASCOMA Corp open its ethanol plant in New York. I mention before this plant was slated for the North Country. You can kiss our investment good by, thanks to Burton. Remember he gave your tax dollars away with the intent to build the plant in Berlin. Lot more coming,
Have you visited Treasurer Siever’s blog? You will find $163,000 in the sheriff’s reserve account. Why. The $163.000 should be returned to the taxpayers. The why, Burton will find a way to piss the money away on some foolish project. In the news today Woodsville Savings received $6.9 million of TARP funds. Originally the treasurer did not want to invest county funds with the Woodsville Savings. The devil’s ugly head is raising.. You can see for yourself why Burton is against Ms. Sievers. Do you think he is in favor of such transparency? Also in the news MASCOMA Corp open its ethanol plant in New York. I mention before this plant was slated for the North Country. You can kiss our investment good by, thanks to Burton. Remember he gave your tax dollars away with the intent to build the plant in Berlin. Lot more coming,
Sounds interesting....
I think the product will be bio diesel from waste oils, vegetable oils etc. Eight to twelve people will be employed. Far as I know Mr. Presley has a partner. Your love the reason for the site selection, as you are advocating ideas to bring business into the area. The other partner is an avid flyer, the site is next to the airport. I understand they built an exit road to the plant from the runway. The property transfer and other issues have not been smooth. It will all be work out.
Look at the Mount Washington Hotel today!
If I had my way these individuals would be running Cannon Mountain.