Thanks toonist

Comments

[wood burner]

LESS JOBS !!!!!!

CONCORD, N.H. -- A new study claims that the controversial Northern Pass project would only create half the number of jobs previously predicted, and many of those jobs would go to out-of-state contractors.
The study was paid for by the New England Power Generator Association, which has opposed the project. Last April, Public Service of New Hampshire and Northern Pass released a study that showed the project would create 1,300 to 1,600 jobs over the three years, but the new study says it would create 533 jobs at best, and the North Country would see the fewest jobs.
"We have real concerns over how this project is being developed and proposed," said Dan Dolan of the New England Power Generator Association. "Specifically, it has to do with the use of eminent domain."
The new study was conducted by PolEcon. The study indicates that many construction jobs would be created, but PolEcon said New Hampshire doesn't have enough specialized labor to support the project, so out-of-state workers would be brought in for converter and substation work.
Supporters of Northern Pass said the study is flawed because it references several older studies of electric transmission lines but ignores a similar project being built in Maine.
"I have 100 electricians who are currently unemployed that I could put to work on that job tomorrow, and nobody ever contacted me to find out how many people could go to work on this project," said Joe Casey of the New Hampshire Building and Construction Trades Council.
The study also projected the revenue that out-of-state workers would bring to New Hampshire in terms of lodging and food. It put that number at $31 million over three years, which the study said could be the largest job impact of the project.

[Wing Nut]

The use (or attempted use) of eminent domain for this Northern Pass project SICKENS me! This is a nightmare scenario for NH. Everybody (not just those affected by Northern Pass) should be absolutely outraged by this power grab by Northeast Utilities. The Senate better do the right thing and vote in favor of the Bragdon-Forrester amendment. If they don't then we know for sure that PSNH owns NH legislators.

See ya,
WN

[toonist]

Politicians ARE the whores of big business WN. The right thing to them is "How much will "I" make out of this?"

[Rocky]

I agree that most (not all) politicians are instruments of large corporations, how can it be otherwise when the political system has evolved to where you need large sums of money to be elected. Hand in hand with the money are the lobbyists who, for all practical purposes, write the legislation that is then passed by the politicians. All too often the highly technical and complex nature of the issues are not understood by the legislators and the corporate-trained lobbyists provide the "expertise" and (biased) explanations to them. I've had this conversation with elected officials who admitted that they did not understand the subject matter of what they were voting on. I agree with what seems to be the consensus on the subject of eminent domain, but the Northern Pass issue is far more complex than that one specific topic. The comment posted by Wood Burner is a perfect example of a special interest group against Northern Pass based strictly on self interest. The New England Power Generator Association is against Northern Pass because the Canadian electricity would be delivered at a cost below what "their members" can produce. Of course they don't come out and say that, instead they challenge the (also fictitious)employment numbers which Northern Pass has been using. With everybody lying and exaggerating their positions, how is the average part-time non-professional elected official supposed to understand what's going on? They don't understand and they drift to the side where they vote in their own personal best interest, not in their constituents best interest or the public's best interest. My explanation may be convoluted, but it's how I see it working.

[Antonio Andolini]

"We've gone from Romney's pious baloney to Romney's desperate baloney," he said. "As president, he will be able to open a delicatessen." Newt Gingrich.
http://www.washingtontimes.com/blog/inside-politics/2012/jan/23/gingrich-romney-has-added-more-bologna-buffet/

[Antonio Andolini]

Actually, Rocky, NEPGA (whose members include Brookfield Renewable Energy Partners) has been quite upfront about their issues with Northern Pass.
http://www.nepga.org/contents/NEPGA%20NPT%20position%20paper%20press%20release%20FINAL.pdf

http://www.nepga.org/

Certainly, we should not just roll over and accept what NU-PSNH is pushing, agreed?

It would help if "the average part-time non-professional elected official" and the voters who elect him or her would, "do their homework." The information is available if you seek it.
The bigger problem, though, is that most politicians follow what party leadership orders. It's a variation of your favorite saying, "My (party's) mind is made up, don't confuse me with facts."

We agree that the Northern Pass project raises more issues than eminent domain. As I said before, though, this issue of eminent domain is larger than Northern Pass. New Hampshire was one of the early states to respond to the Kelo decision and amend our State Constitution to protect property owners from intrusive government. At this time, we can continue to strengthen and reaffirm our belief in private property, or slip back into letting the government, and its manipulators, decide what is best for us.

[Wing Nut]

I agree AA. My concern is over private property rights (or lack thereof) more than Northern Pass. That being said, based upon what I've read thus far I support the Bragdon-Forrester Amendment to the House Bill because I believe that amendment would protect private property rights the strongest. I want to reiterate that no private corporation should be allowed to rape somebody’s personal property in the name corporate profits.

Anybody that agrees should contact Senator Gallus (although it sounds like he won't be listening to his constituents once again).

Take care,
WN

[toonist]

I just sent an email along with an attachment of the 'eminent domain' cartoon to Sen Gallus and wasked hime point blank where he stands on this. He's not my Senator, Chandler is, so I may not get an answer. We'll see I'll keep ya'll posted.

[toonist]

"WASKED HIME"????? I think that's supposed to say 'asked him'

[toonist]

You decide:

Thank you very much for your email

FROM: Gallus, John
TO: D Rano

I appreciate your email. Due to the volume of emails I am receiving, it is no longer possible to respond to each one. If you are writing about a particular piece of legislation, please know that I review all of my emails and I appreciate your taking the time to contact me. The thoughts and opinions of my constituents are important to me and I will certainly consider your input.

If you are writing to schedule a meeting, invite me to an event, or if you are in need of immediate assistance, please call my office at 271-3076.

Thank you again for your email.

Senator John Gallus

District 1

[Jon Edwards]

and this to really confuse the subject...

"Treat the earth well: it was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children. We do not inherit the Earth from our Ancestors, we borrow it."

Are we primitive to think the mountain tops are better absent windmills, the city center absent biomass, the landscape absent towers? hmmmm....

[Antonio Andolini]

Thanks, toonist. Typical robo-answer. Senate District 3 (Conway)is Bradley; we know where he stands. We shall see where NH is headed.

[warren,]

Wow toonist, I got the very same "robo-answer" Yesterday. However, I already know how Sen. Gallus will Vote... I hope I'm wrong.
-There will be a LOT less Jobs than Promised.
-These Jobs will go to an Outside ( of New Hampshire ) Workforce.
-The Electricity Will NOT be Sold in New Hampshire, it is destined for Southern Markets, So a Local Business Person who Say, Pays over a $1000 a Month can expect -Nothing- .
- Is Broad Band even still on Offer?

[warren,]

Lets put it This way. Say NU/PSNH ( Who Own NH? ) Get the Northern Pass Up and Running. They will then turn around and Undercut themselves by selling the Electricity Cheaply in New Hampshire? And will Put their other Operations out of Business? ...A House Divided.........

[Antonio Andolini]

Not at all, Jon, not at all.
As former Councilor McCue likes to say, "As we deal with our short-term needs, we must be mindful of the long-term consequences."

[Rocky]

So AA, now that McCue is gone who in hell cares about the long term consequences? Sorry I forgot....the Grenier "Team". By the way, where's Paul's right hand man, Laidlaw promoter, Notre Dame developer and North Country economic guru Max?

[Antonio Andolini]

Gee, Rocky, you think Team Berlin has a long-term view? I wish that were so, but I'm not optimistic. Except for the two TCCAP employees, they're natives raised on the "smell of money" and hoping to bring back the old days.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRTMWzVoT_U

Don't forget Icey Gulch on the list of Max's accomplishments. I think the build-out took longer than the place was open for business.
Max should be due for another quarterly update to the City Council.

[Antonio Andolini]

So Gallus is going to vote "for" HB 648. Too bad, the BDS didn't ask which amendment, though.
http://www.berlindailysun.com/local-news/story/gallus-will-vote-hb648-barring-use-eminent-domain-insert-redistricting-story
Wish I could get down for the vote, but some of us have to work for a living. We shall see.

[warren,]

I Wonder if Tom McCue might consider a Run for Mayor next time around? I'm a tad surprised that He never comments on this blog.......................................

[Rocky]

If you know him, give him a call and ask.

[warren,]

I do, and I would. We usualy Talk when We meet, but I suspect that You have a more... "Direct Line", shall We Say.

[Antonio Andolini]

Did your finger get stuck on the " . " key, Warren?
I don't recall any elected official commenting on this blog. It's generally not a good idea. Too hard for the average reader to know if it's a personal comment or an official comment. Now, that Tom McCue is off the Council, maybe he'll tune in and comment. I understand the Planning Board asked if he would stay on there, although that is an appointed position, so less likely to be a problem to blog.
All nine positions of the Mayor & Council are up in two years, so who knows who will run. Before then, who will challenge Gallus in 2012? I know Rocky predicts Grenier will run someday, but I don't see him stepping down from Mayor, so that is more likely in 2014.

[Jon Edwards]

HB 648 will undoubtedly just add more money to attorneys' pockets if passed. Eminent domain of private property will still be provided to utility companies because even the wording of HB648 can be construed to mean we need Northern Pass within one little phrase; "system reliability". It will be the new argument that all new projects must occur to provide reliability and to replace what is outdated. Just a new twist to another day and another PSNH lawsuit.

"House Bill 648 bars the use of eminent domain to take private land to construct or operate a transmission facility except to address power system reliability. "

[warren,]

I'll be more than happy to see Paul continue on as Mayor of Berlin, AA. There is a Lot of work to be done in preventing certain people on this blog who wish to remain annonymous from Stymieing the Blue Collar Man. Perhaps they should Move to Portland or Portsmouth. I'm happy to see Tom back in the Private Sector.

More Power to the Working Man, Not the Bourgeois Pettite.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vB6sRQQBH6E

[Antonio Andolini]

Jon, that's true. What the BDS published is the compromise version that came out of the House. That's why in the Senate the Bragdon-Forrester amendment is needed; "no public utility may petition for permission to take private land or property rights for the construction or operation of an electric generating plant or for any private development, including but not limited to participant·funded projects.”
http://responsibleenergyaction.com/pages/612
There are a number of future electric transmission
corridors planned for northern New England.
http://responsibleenergyaction.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/CurrentAndFutureElectricTransmissionCorridors.pdf