EVENTS, CALENDAR & LETTERS
June 30, 2011.
EVENT NEWS
June 28, 2011. Buckwheat Valley Citizens Coalition (BVCC) has been informed by another source that we have been remiss in not reporting the publishing of another critical study entitled "2010 Long-Term Reliability Assessment" published (October 2010) by the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC), based in Princeton, NJ. NERC is an international regulatory authority established to evaluate reliability of the bulk power systems in North America and develops and enforces Reliability Standards under the authority of the U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), since 2007. Here is some of this reports findings:
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The reliable delivery of electricity to North American homes and businesses is a critical element of North America's way of life.
The electric industry has prepared adequate plans for 2010-2019 period to provide reliable electric service across North America.
Total Internal Peak Demand in the United States is projected to grow at a rate of 1.3 percent per year.
Demand-Side Management programs, which include conservation, Energy Efficiency, and Dispatchable and Controllable Demand Response, provide the industry with the ability to reduce peak demand and to potentially defer the need for some future generation capacity.
The existing electric transmission systems and planned additions over the next ten years appear generally adequate to reliably meet customer electricity requirements.
Although the addition of transmission circuit miles indicate positive reinforcement of the interconnected systems, the associated increased use of transmission systems due to increased demand growth, generation additions (especially geographically distant generation), generation deficiencies, and the increasingly competitive bulk power market must also be considered in evaluating overall system strength and reliability.
Although the addition of transmission circuit miles indicate positive reinforcement of the interconnected systems, the associated increased use of transmission systems due to increased demand growth, generation additions (especially geographically distant generation), generation deficiencies, and the increasingly competitive bulk power market must also be considered in evaluating overall system strength and reliability.
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NERC 2010 Long-Term Reliability Assessment
SUMMARY
Alright citizens, here we are again, most of us squinting at the notion of "what does all of that (209 page study) mean?" And, once again, the answer is: it depends on your point of view. BVCC holds the point of view that (given our recessive economy and extremely low energy consumption, present and future) planners should not undertake non - essential huge Million and Billion dollar projects (which will further burden all of us, and our children) unless such projects are proven by certified need analysis to be CRITICAL RESERVE PROBLEMS that require IMMEDIATE FIXES. From that perspective, a review of this NERC study confirms there are no immediate CRITICAL PROBLEMS identified in Wisconsin, or for that mater the Midwest Region, or beyond. To the contrary, "Anticipated, Prospective, Adjusted and Potential Reserve Margins" are currently comfortable in 2010 and are projected to do nothing but increase in reserve margin capacity from 2014 to 2019. As to the question of low voltage upgrades, this is a another matter all together (which can be dealt with in a budget format (and at a much lower cost to benefit ratio). Although the "Addition of Transmission Systems" are credited as positive, the report makes a point to stress that factors such as growth, generation, and competitive bulk markets, need to be adjusted according to changes in those sectors. The question could then be asked: Why build all this new transmission construction? Answer: Because there is excess energy generation and the wholesale market (monopolies) need to find a way to sell it! What is evident is that there is a North American Continental Grid Master Plan that has big ambitions. And that plan calls for electric rate payers to pay to build it, so the big generator and transmission corporations can cash-in on the Federal Governments deregulation policies (which were initiated in early 2000). Now, BVCC is not saying that the CapX2020 or the ATC Badger Coulee proposals have no data on which to base their projects ambitions, because they do. The problem lies in the interpretation and the intended use of that data. Look at it this way. If you were selling cars for a living, would you put a sign in front of your car dealership saying "Don't Buy My Cars, Ride The Bus?" No! What you're sign would probably say is "You Need To Buy My Cars, Don't Ride The Bus." The same applies to the selling of transmission lines. Only we just don't have the cash to buy an electric Cadillac. We need to take the peddle operated bus for a while. Besides, we have pretty good buses already, and they cost a lot less to deliver the same advantages. So, it all comes back to showing the public the critical need data in your proposal draft applications. Mrs. Capx and Mrs. ATC, you ladies need to show us the critical data under your cosmetics, now, during the "Public Information Phase." Or should I say, during the "Where Do You Want The Lines Put Phase?" We need you to turn the light switch on and show us what you have hidden in that closet!
Contact us at: buckwheatvalley@mwt.net
