EVENTS, CALENDAR & LETTERS
June 24, 2011.
LETTERS
June 19, 2011. ATC sent (a nine page response letter), complete letter content is available on the Town Of Stark website, to the Town Of Stark-Energy Planning & Information Committee, in response to their letter regarding (27) questions the committee posed to ATC regarding its high voltage - high capacity electric transmission line called the Badger Coulee (BC) proposal. Here is some of what ATC had to say:
"I've enclosed responses and supporting information for the questions from you April 18, 2011 letter. Please note that some of the questions are not within the project scope, do not have a definitive answer at this time, contain unfounded assertions, or request information that is not readily available from ATC."
"ATC studies [not provided or referenced] indicate that the proposed project [ATC-BC] would deliver benefits [not specified] to Wisconsin that exceed the costs of constructing the project" [no data provide].
"The BC line would provide utilities with greater access to the wholesale electricity [no mention of sources or cost] market with potential [you mean like maybe] savings that can be passed on to electric customers." [cost of electricity in Wisconsin is highest in Midwest-thanks to existing wholesale Midwest Independent System Operator (MISO) rates].
"The BC line could [maybe-but not conclusive] allow the closing of older coal plants [who is proposing that Mr. ATC?] should the utilities wish [wish list again] to do that." [A wish list scenario at rate payer expense-and to the great profit of ATC]
"In 2010 ATC customers [did you mean the customers not in the ATC-BC plan area?] used the transmission system [who's system?] to import electricity more than 88 percent of the time." [of course, electricity is cheaper from Illinois who is not part of the MISO wholesale market like Wisconsin. Your argument makes no sense Mr. ATC]
"ATC plans to submit an application for this project [BC] in 2013. The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC) will evaluate the need and benefits." [Not good enough Mr. ATC. The public wants the need and benefit data now, during the "Public Information Stage." Or, more appropriately put, during your "Where Do We Put Your Towers Phase"]
"Between $12 to 20 Billion dollars [only a 8 Billion dollar fudge factor] would be needed to safely and reliably deliver the wind power [at a cost that would make it very expensive] needed to meet the Renewable Portfolio Standards set by MISO." [Wisconsin can meet its renewable goals using the existing or upgraded low voltage alternatives, thank you Mr. ATC, at much less cost]
"ATC is responsible for proposing the BC project and not in a position to address the cost of projects outside of the service area." [Excuse me Mr. ATC but you previously referenced your participation in a 20 Billion dollar renewable energy portfolio, but you don't know what other projects cost? Come on!]
"As currently proposed, the cost of the project [BC] would be spread among electric ratepayers in the ATC service area." [Will ATC make any investments from its net profits in this BC line?] Answer: "None". [No investment - no loss, right Mr. ATC? Build it and they will pay]
------End of letter questions------
Ok citizens, had enough? Do you think BVCC is beating-up on ATC? Or not? Mr. ATC is a pretty tough stakeholder, but so is BVCC and the Public. Send us an email and let us know what you think about keeping the lights on?
Contact us at: buckwheatvalley@mwt.net
