Fear Silence

All seems to be quiet on the biomass plant issue in Berlin, but I don't believe that the storm over the Laidlaw Energy project has blown over. In fact I have new fears about the issue.  Fear #1- That some people are convinced that the project is a done deal, that there's no point in getting involved, that City Hall has failed to properly respond etc.   Fear #2- That too many believe that there's no way Laidlaw Energy will be able to pull off this multi-million dollar deal, that they won't be able to get on the grid and they will just go away. Both of these conclusions are false and if we fall victim to these two conclusions I see nothing but that, again Berlin is being taken for a ride.  I keep repeating that Laidlaw Energy does not own or have a serious commitment in place for the purchase of the property or the boiler!  Now, not owning the property is not the same as not having the intention to own the property and that's why a well organized effort to let them know that we don't like or want their project in our downtown is so crucial. The second fear of mine is over the "facts" that Laidlaw Energy is ignoring many technical and financial issues which will eventually kill the project, I say look at the Rite Aid block downtown! Rite Aid managed to buy all the properties on Main and Pleasant Streets, but where's the new store today? All of us can go and buy things we won't be able to pay for in the long run, it happens thousands of times a day and leads to bankruptcies.  Remember American Tissue Company when they bought the mill?  What will Berlin do with a rusting 12 story boiler and 300ft stack when Laidlaw Energy walks because they failed to do their homework? American Tissue believed and convinced us that they were going to be successful and where are they today?  How many times are we going to get suckered like this before we learn? These are the reasons that it's nothing short of criminal that City Hall chose not to become involved in what goes on at the mill site. That only leaves public opinion and public outcry to combat the Laidlaw Energy disaster I see in my nightmare and that's why I fear the silence about the issue.

Comments

[Pamela Laflamme]

http://www.puc.state.nh.us/Electric/Electric%20Transmission%20in%20Northern%20NH-web.pdf

This is the link to the handout for a meeting that was held in Groveton last evening about Transmission in northern NH. I didn't hear about the meeting until late in the day, so I can't comment on the meeting itself, but this handout covers the major topics of conversation.

[lub]

I do not believe all is quiet on this western front. Often periods of silence or lulls in news coverage provide time to organize a comprehensive plan of attack.

[Rocky]

I hope your right lub!