It must dishearten nuclear proponents when wind energy is shown to be a low-cost, quickly installed source of electricity.
Wind vs nuclear energy
Dam lies
Mark Jaccard, recently appointed Chair and CEO of the BC Utilities Commission, argued in 2017 for Site C, when BC could have stopped the project and saved about $15 billion. Jaccard said that supporters of other renewables did not account for dispatchability, which he claimed was a key obstacle to using alternatives. People expecting their pockets to bulge from the Site C megaproject told us that less destructive energy sources were unworkable in British Columbia. The world has proven them wrong…
Carbon-free, non-destructive energy
A pumped-storage hydroelectricity (PSH) facility moves water into a high-level reservoir during times of low demand, and then generates electricity by releasing water during times of high demand. Most storage occurs at night and most electricity is generated during the day. PSH is a proven method of energy storage with competitive round-trip efficiency and long life spans.
BC energy policies based on myths and misinformation
Arguments claiming impracticability of wind and solar power integration in British Columbia never passed scrutiny. Elsewhere in the world, it has been happening rapidly. Days ago, BC NDP announced a new call for clean power. No important details were provided but it seems government will replicate the insider-friendly private power program favoured by BC Liberals. That resulted in commitments for power that lasted as long as 70 years at prices that have been multiples of market price. The province should not go that way again.
Private profits but public risks – Updated
Commercialization of small-scale nuclear power has turned out to be far more difficult than investors expected a decade ago. Even one of the world’s richest entrepreneurs cannot finance a multi-billion-dollar program with an uncertain future. Nuclear may play a role in the 2030s but solar, wind and geothermal are viable power sources today…
Misappropriation of public wealth
Readers may tire of reports on BC Hydro but the more I examine this public utility, the more convinced I am that citizens of BC are victims of massive financial deception.
When the call screener makes life difficult
A bit out of date but this item first published in January 2015 is worth repeating. It shows something about the quality of political reporting in BC. January 2, an unidentified caller […]
Run of river, or ruin of river?
In the three months ended December 31, 2015, BC Hydro BOUGHT 3,719 GWh from private electricity producers at an average price of $91,422 per GWh (total $340 million). In the same quarter, BC Hydro SOLD 3,493 GWh to heavy industry at an average price of $54,394 per GWh (total $190 million). Liberals claim themselves to be wise managers of public finances.
Reward without risk for worthless surplus power
British Columbia’s government believes less in free enterprise than in assisted activities for approved associates. Entrepreneurs saw potential for a private power generation industry in the province but didn’t want to risk their own money. Instead, they arranged with the Liberal government for the public to accept all risks and guarantee substantial profits to the schemers…
Unparalleled, indeed
How fortunate (sarcasm alert) that British Columbia had a government determined to spend big dollars to increase exports to American markets for electricity. Lucky too that Liberals had the full support of business leaders and a courageous corporate press willing to stand with the government and call out naysayers who thought it was a mistake to commit tens of billions more to insure private power producers against business risks.
BC Liberal style: buy high, sell low
From BC Hydro’s quarterly report for the period ended September 30, 2012: “As a result of the high inflows, the Company sold a significant volume of surplus energy in the six months […]
Pretend capitalists loot and pillage BC
I’ve been examining audited financial statements of two favourite public enterprises: BC Hydro and PAVCO. I completed preliminary examination but a paucity of meaningful data makes that a difficult task for an […]
War waged on wilderness
Read more HERE.
Kleptocracy: rule by thieves
BC Liberals claim to be the “free enterprise” party of British Columbia but scams in play at BC Hydro are not examples of free enterprise. These are old fashion economic frauds committed […]
The word is malfeasance, AKA theft
http://saveourrivers.tv/powerplay_player5.html Protect salmon habitat? Protect BC consumers? Protect BC taxpayers? No way. H/T John W.
Rivers: "Run of" or "Ruin of" – a choice
Message from Gwen Barlee, one of this province’s most honourable preservationists: “The Kokish is a wild river on Vancouver Island that is home to Dolly Varden, cutthroat trout, 5 species of wild […]
A pleasant walk, a pleasant talk, along the briny beach
“The time has come,” the Walrus said, “To talk of many things: Of shoes–and ships–and sealing-wax– Of cabbages–and kings– And why the sea is boiling hot– And whether pigs have wings.” Tzeporah […]
More small dams for me and you
Small Hydro Power from Tom11 Films on Vimeo.
Bringing good things to life like no taxes
Rafe Mair likes to remind citizens that when preference for private power generation became BC Liberal policy, they talked about “Run-of-the-River” projects. The implication was that small, benign installations would be community […]
Liberal wealthcare working well
McInnes, Brown, Campbell Plutonic Power Corporation announced this morning it had agreed to merge with Magma Energy Corp. The exchange ratio represents a premium to Plutonic shareholders of 32% over Plutonic’s 20 day […]
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