CapeCodToday Blog Chowder

Mav,
If this area gets the protection you talk of wouldn't it be necessary to stop all fishing in the area also?

Bitter,
Denver is alright, no better or worse than any other place in the country I've been. The altitude takes some getting used to though. I only have to deal with it for another couple of weeks then I get to go back to the Cape for ten days then off to the ugliest city in the country...Houston. At least the weather down there is good this time of year.

By the way MoronCat there are 150 millwrights working this job right now...40 boilermakers...25 laborors. Come on clever boy tell me about the kool aid again.

Bobcat you moron...I am an engineer. The millwrights make over 100K a year. I make more than them. Egos are left at the gate at work. If you bring it into the plant you don't last long. The reason I am looking for a partner is my company could then generate more revenue. Pretty simple really. How is your conversation with Jim Jones going? You are truely delusional. Drink some Jim Jones.

No Mav...10 years experience working for a major OEM running outages on steam or gas turbines. I can't afford to train anyone, that is the job of the OEM.

Bobcat,
Wow, kool-aid. You are soooo clever. Did you come up with that little ditty yourself or did you channel Jim Jones? I guess you don't have the qualifications I am looking for...pity. In this current economy people are hurting, yet nobody wants to come out in the field and work in the plants. Hell the union millwrights out here all pull in over 100k a year and there isn't enough of them. You can now go back to drinking your urine like the freak you are.

By the way Bobcat, I am looking for a partner as I have been turning away more work that I take. If you know anyone with 10+ years experience running outages on Siemens (my former employer), GE, Mitsubishi, Toshiba, Solar, Parsons, Elliot, or any other major OEM gas or steam turbines please direct them to me. Right now power generation doesn't have close to enough people working it and the money is really good. I also need them to hold a TWIC card (that way I don't need to do a background check) and a valid passport. Thanks for the help chump.

Bobcat,
I can't drink too much out here in Denver. I am running a 20 million dollar shut down of a combined cycle power plant. I work 13 hours a day, 7 days a week until the job is done (in this case for 28 days scheduled). When you bill your customer $200/hr for your time they expect you to be sober and not hung over when you show up to work. To do otherwise is very unprofessional. Now what I do when I am at home on the Cape is my business. What is your excuse? Stay off the sauce my man.

Bobcat,
I suggest you don't think too much...I would hate to see you hurt your head.

Mav,
All I pointed out was what Carl wrote and how you responded. It seems that you have been arguing with that idiot Lattimer too much (I would like to wring his neck personally) as when I pointed out he stated only one he knew was union you suddenly changed your agrument to lobbyist.

I will agree that Cape Wind will not drop rates. I strongly disagree that it will increase rates. If you are so concerned you wouldn't have to buy electricity generated by them. If you want lower rates look around, they are out there. Anyone paying the Cape Light Compact is, to be blunt, stupid.

Bobcat,
You want to bet and win you have better odds at Foxwoods. I have yet to lose to boilermakers, ironworkers, longshoremen, or millwrights. What is a charter captain going to bring to the table? If Mav is stupid enough to really want a visit he will get one.

Mav,
Your quote,"
Carl B..."1 of them is in a Union."?

Gerard Dhooge
President
Boston & New England Maritime Trades Council, AFL-CIO
npsgjd@verizon.net

Edwin D. Hill
International President
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers

Michael P. Monahan
Business Manager
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 103
mmonahan@ibew103.com

David W. Fenton
Business Manager/Financial Secretary
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 223
dfenton@ibew223.org

David Borrus
Business Representative
Pile Drivers Local 56
dnbl56@hotmail.com

Carl, you are a bullshit artist. "death to the lies". I am looking for a place to puke.

Carl has not responded since. You went from union to lobbyist when I questioned you. You are a piece of shit. Are you going to ask what the definition of the word is is for an encore?

You are a true piece of shit.

Mav,
It is easy to see you are having a problem with comprehension. I see your list. As a matter of fact here is your list:

Gerard Dhooge
President
Boston & New England Maritime Trades Council, AFL-CIO
npsgjd@verizon.net

Edwin D. Hill
International President
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers

Michael P. Monahan
Business Manager
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 103
mmonahan@ibew103.com

David W. Fenton
Business Manager/Financial Secretary
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 223
dfenton@ibew223.org

David Borrus
Business Representative
Pile Drivers Local 56
dnbl56@hotmail.com

The funny thing is I called you on this and now you move on to lobbiest. Which is it Mav?

One last thing...be careful what you wish for.

I love Cape Cod. It is the pain in the ass charter captains I have a problem with.

Maverick,
I saw how many that signed the list were union. I also saw that Carl wrote he only knew six on the list (a lot more that six signed). I'm sorry you have problems with English Comprehension.

Just make sure you are not lying on your stomach when you puke...

The last thing you want is a visit from me. Be kind of hard now seeing I am in Denver enjoying the Rocky Mountain High. But I will be back in a couple of weeks.

I love Cape Cod. It is the pain in the ass charter captains I have a problem with.

Maverick,
You need to read what Carl actually wrote. He stated that he knows six of those who signed and only one of those six is union.

I love Cape Cod. It is the pain in the ass charter captains I have a problem with.

Gonzo,
To find the cost per kWhr see here

http://www.nepool.com/portal/jsp/lmpmap/Index.jsp

It is the day ahead pricing for ISO NE that CW will be held to. The end.

Yes Richard...when pressed by the 911 dispatcher the woman (Ms Whalen) said one of the men looked "Hispanic". Also the US DOT states that those of Portugese heritage are classified as.....Hispanic. I guess you are saying that she profiled one of her own race.

By that rational my white neighbor that called on me when I first bought my present house was profiling me.

The problem is Richard you wrote this article without all the facts and now you are just trying to cover your a$$. You were wrong and I pointed it out in the first post here and you wanted to argue. If you don't believe me read my first post and your reply.

Try getting your facts right next time and quit trying to make everyone out as a racist.

Richard,
Would your comments about Ms. Whalen change knowing that she is, as described by press reports, an "olive skinned woman of Portugese ancestry"?.

And your argument of what if Gates were "a frail, elderly white man backtalking him" instead of the middle aged not so frail man that he is doesn't really make any kind of sense.

I have had the Bourne police stop by my house right after I bought it under similar circumstances, (neighbor not knowing who I was, a recent spate of break ins in the neighborhood, etc). When questioned by the police, who did in fact come through my door, I immediatly identified myself as the homeowner and showed the police the paperwork I had for the house. I didn't act out and didn't get abusive with the police and lo and behold I did NOT get arrested. I am thankful that my neighbors are vigilant as they are.

Wow Richard...even in the Globe article it states in the second paragragph of the article that she called 911, and I quote, "because she was aware of recent break-ins in the area" not because of two black men like you contend.

Further, when questioned by the 911 dispatcher she stated that, "she could only guess about the race of the two men. “She speculated . . . that one might be Hispanic.’’

Any reference to the two being black happened after the police got to the scene according to Ms. Whalen and the Cambridge police.

Richard,
According to the Globe (and others) the original 911 call did NOT mention the two men were black. Do you think you owe Ms. Whalen an appology?

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/07/27/gates_caller_didnt_cite_race_police_say/

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32169213/ns/us_news-race_and_ethnicity/

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,534902,00.html

Cru,
The power generation industry is in trouble. There are not enough people that maintain plants. Most of the labor I deal with are millwrights and all of them I know pull down more that 100K and work about 7 months a year working for either Siemens Westinghouse Generation Services or Atlantic Plant Maintenance (GE). Boilermakers, electricians, and ironworkers are also in demand. It is a wonder we keep the power on to be honest. Companies in the industry a BEGGING for help but these days people do not want to work. I only work five months a year but when I work I put in a minimum of 13 hours a day, 7 days a week until the project is complete. Those five months I work I am away from home. Most people are unwilling to do this. If you know anyone who is willing have them contact the Millwright local 1121 in Boston. Good money and benefits but long hours when you do work.

Cru,
The Geysers

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Geysers

Cru,
You should have noticed the first line in your last quote from "google", "Geothermal as a large scale electricity generation method only works in some areas".

Cru,
Heat pumps are from heating they do not generate electricity. I don't need you to answer my questions on how to generate electricity from geothermal sources. One of my cliets, Calpine, owns 90% of the US geothermal ELECTRIC generating capicity at the Geysers in California. Heat pumps that you reference do not generate electricity and CW will generate electricity. Next time you "google" try geothermal electric generation.

You talk about viable energy but do not differentiate between heating and electrical generation Cru. They are not the same. The systems you talk of are nothing but home heating systems. Same as having solar panels that make hot water or other panels that generate electricity. I am all for geothermal for heating but nobody on MV is generating electricity using geothermal. Wind turbines generate electricity not hot water.

Cru,
Further making the "trophy homes" on the Cape will not lower electrical load. If anything it may increase your electric bill (running pumps, fans on heat exchangers, etc) but will stop those homes from burning oil or gas for heat and hot water. It will not cut use for those who have gas ovens and stove tops or gas clothes dryers.

Getting geothermal in Iceland is easy as it is a very volcanic country.

I am an engineering consultant to the power generation industry (thank you MMA) and make a living from gas turbines and steam turbines. More geothermal would give me even more work than I have now and I turn more work down now than I take. Even with this bad economy I turn down jobs all the time. This isn't due to me being lucky but fortunate. Wind doesn't pay enough for me and yet I live on the Cape and support CW. I don't worry about the fishing industry as the overfishing has crushed the industry, not a wind farm.

I already have a wind turbine in my back yard. I live right next to MMA. The turbine is about 200 yards from my house and bothers me not at all.

Cru,
MW's = MegaWatts. If you are so worried about cost quit paying NSTAR their basic service and find another electric provider seeing the market was deregulated in the late '90's. NSTAR owns the lines and transmits electricity but doesn't generate any. I buy mine from Dominion cheaper than the NSTAR basic service (or the Cape Light Compact on the Cape). You still have to pay NSTAR for delivery.

If some are worried about their bill going up just don't buy the electricity from CW. It IS that easy but most people are either too lazy or don't know they have a choice. Seeing you don't have to buy from them your argument of cost per household is moot at best. On top of that when was the last time you heard of a private company disclosing anything about financials? Please give me one example.

Cru,
From MIT in your neck of the woods about Geothermal.

http://pesn.com/2007/01/22/9500449_MIT_Geothermal_Report/

Doesn't look good for Mass according to MIT. Do you trust them?

Cru,
That would be how many MW's of geothermal electric generation is east of the Mississippi in the US?

Crusader,
What does "Geothermal heating devices on Brattle Street" have to do with electrical generation? Better yet can you tell me how many MW's are generated in the US east of the Mississippi?

Gee Blads,
Excuse me. I guess I should have noted in that article where it was stated, "“We will keep delivering a big proportion of our 2.3-MW machines to the American onshore market,” says a spokesperson. The lion’s share of the offshore machines is also firmly booked for British projects."

Please tell me where in there it states Siemens will not put the 3.6 in the US. You stated on 4/23 at 10:13 am that, " Siemens has stated they'll continue to sell land based wind turbines, only, to the U.S market." We both know that isn't what they stated. Why are you trying to put words in their mouth?

I will only state what I know from my "sources" (I know you love that word but when I say it I mean friends) who work with tooling, maintenance, and marketing. They tell me I am right and you are wrong. I never said SEI will be providing the turbines for CW, or will they?

One last thing Blabs, did you note where it states that GE is "watching the offshore market and could get into it again at any time."? Maybe the GE turbines are coming to the Sound.

Piggie,
NextEra/FPL owns the majority of wind generation in this country and NONE of it is in Florida. I don't like Florida either because it is too hot but the money down there is still green. I will travel and work almost anywhere to pay my bills and provide for mine. I don't like being in Houston either but I am here right now and as you can imagine they are rather right down here. Before this I was in the Bay area of California and I can't stand it there either because they are too left for my liking.

I have seen how nasty the right can be but have also witnessed the left being just as nasty. I don't trust any of them.

By the way, NextEra/FPL owns a couple of plants in Massachusetts. A friend of mine I grew up with in Bourne is the plant manager for their Bellingham plant.

One last thing Piggie, what small towns did you see the Asian hicks in while in Florida?

Gonzo,
What do you mean by "glad to see your paying attention"? I am an engineering consultant to the power generation industry. NextEra/FPL is a client of mine as are Dynegy, Calpine, NRG, PSEG, LS Power, Tata, TVA, Dominion, and on and on. It would be unprofessional of me not to know who my cutomers are. If I didn't pay attention to that how would I get paid? The question is are you paying attention?

Gonzo...FPL outside of Florida is no longer refered to as FPL. They are now known as NextEra Energy. All of the former FPL wind farms are now NextEra Energy Resources wind farms. Try to stay current please.

Blabs said, "Siemens has stated they'll continue to sell land based wind turbines, only, to the U.S market."

Wow, I would love for her to tell me who told her that. My friends at my former employer (yup Siemens Energy) are getting the tooling together here in the US for their maintenance people to maintain...offshore wind turbines. Why is that? Maybe you should have asked me about that Blabs.

Piggie,
Not right wing or left wing here but just trying to give a little advice one engineer to another. Try not to use Godwin's Law.

If "gonzo" is so worried about his electric bill he could always choose not to buy from CW. I sure someone of his master intelect (can you spell sarcasm) is aware that he isn't limited to buying his juice from just NSTAR or the Cape Light Compact.

http://www.nstar.com/residential/account_services/rates_tariffs/competitive_supply/about.asp

Hey Peck,
Have you found the 8 foot diameter cable yet? I'm still looking into where to get one. I was thinking of putting it up in my yard. You know, modern art.

I called Ms. McAuliffe asking where I might procure a 8 foot diameter cable. She swore and hung up. I guess the gullible don't have a sense of humor. Good thing I have a sense of humor.

Babs,
Can you tell me where I can pick up a length of 8 foot OD cable?

Gee Blabs reading Mr. Kochs comments on HIS geothermal plants and how HE, and I quote, "was selling mine at 12 cents when the market was 5 cents -- which was essentially a government subsidy, and something I was very happy, very proud, to take advantage of. I didn't make the rules; I just took advantage of them."

But yet he condems CW for taking subsidies. He reminds me of a politician talking out of both sides of his mouth. Why would I want to hang out with someone that has no moral compass like himself? He bad mouths Gordon for trying work within the system but he himself was "very happy and PROUD" to do the same thing. Shame on him and shame on you for defending his actions.

I personally have no issues with either of them taking advantage of the subsidies that are offered. In FY 2007 the DOE gave out almost 7.5 BILLION dollars in subsidies to the electric market with over 3 BILLION going just to the COAL industry. 1.75 Billion went to oil and gas, nuclear got 1 billion. Wind got less than a billion.

http://www.eia.doe.gov/oiaf/servicer

"I had several geothermal power plants, one in Nevada, one in Costa Rica, and another in the Philippines. I had gas-fired plants, wood-powered plants, and an interest in a hydro-powered plant. And, to be quite blunt about it, I made a fortune off them. They made sense because of the law that required power companies to take delivery of my alternative energies at ever-increasing prices. I was selling mine at 12 cents when the market was 5 cents -- which was essentially a government subsidy, and something I was very happy, very proud, to take advantage of. I didn't make the rules; I just took advantage of them. When they got rid of the law, my price went to 3 cents, and I sold and got out, and then invested in oil and gas -- which was also good business."

Proud Bill Koch, Providence Journal 9/15/05

"I was telling one of my guys when this [wind farm] first came up, 'I wish I'd thought of this!' But as a businessman, I said I wouldn't have put it in my backyard -- I would have put it in someone else's backyard!"

Bill Koch, Providence Journal 9/15/2005

Pete,
Where is that name of that "guy"? Still waiting for the name of that "guy". Have you found the name of that "guy"? Have you no "GUTS" to out that "guy"?

Why would the publicity bother me Peter? I am not a retired engineer but a working engineer.

The funny thing about Gordon in 2007 is he already had plans on the drawing board for that plant out in Westfield. Maybe I'll cold call him and see if he would like my services during construction.....nah...I never liked new construction jobs as they are too long and too boring.

By the way Pete instead of asking an "expert" at the Portuguese American Club you could have asked me. I would have given you the correct answer. Some "expert" you talked to. Hmmmmmmmmm.

By the way Peter I am talking to you.

Peter,
The has the name of that "guy" come into "focus" yet, or are you making up stories to make friends? Enquiring minds want to know.

Hey Peter,
You remember the name of that "guy" yet? Hmmmmmmmm.

Pete,
Did you remember the name of that "group" or that "guy" yet or are you just making up stories to make friends? Hmmmmmmmm.

Pete,
Did you remember the name of that group or fictional person yet opposed to changing canal to CC? Being an engineering consultant to the power generation industry specializing in CC technology I think I would have remembered such a group.

When you ask do we need canal as it stands right now understand that if it were not for the FERC rules that canal would never be able to compete in this deregulated market and would have closed long ago but we keep it open to the tune of over 100 million a year. I'm all for repowering then I wouldn't have to travel five months a year to work.....I could work from home on occasion.

I don't know what guy, or group, you're talking about Peter. Maybe you can call your boy Mike "head" of Siemens in Orlando and ask him. He may know.

Dorsal,
Mirant had plans to repower the Canal plant, much like Manchester Street Station in Providence had been repowered, back about six years ago, but the Enron collapse brought down the whole industry.

Talking with some folks who still work at the plant and who have retired those plans will come through. The plan is to leave the existing steam turbines in place and put in four to six combustion turbines and utilize combined cylce technology. If Mirant did this then the Canal plant would be able to compete in todays deregulated electric market.

BTW Buzz, from the Army Corp of Engineers:

http://www.nae.usace.army.mil/recreati/ccc/history/history.htm

Actually Buzz the company owned by August Belmont completed the canal in 1914 not the 30's. Further the Vikings is the nickname of WAREHAM HS.

Monpon,
Being a former "Canalman" I know that the womens teams are known not as the Canalmen, but the Canalwomen. BTW-ask the weinies from Wareham what happens during hockey season.

Magician,
You were so right....I looked into the vast time difference of Pave Paws starting up on the East Coast versus the West Coast where the wicked smart people live. Here is what I found:

"PAVE PAWS reached initial operating capability 4 April 1980 at Otis AFB in Massachusetts, and 15 August at Beale AFB, California"

First sentence in the third paragraph. I would give it to you that Otis was operating a whopping FIVE MONTHS at full capacity before Beale. They both became operational in 1980 not 1975. 1980 for Otis and 1980 for Beal. FACTS are FACTS.

http://www.fas.org/spp/military/program/track/pavepaws.htm

"I was telling one of my guys when this [wind farm] first came up, 'I wish I'd thought of this!' But as a businessman, I said I wouldn't have put it in my backyard -- I would have put it in someone else's backyard!"

Bill Koch, board memeber Alliance to Protect Nantuckt Sound, Providence Journal 9/15/05

Possee,
Check this out. Why do coal, oil, and natural gas get the subsidies that they do. This is right from the government. I thought these markets were mature. Page 10 is key.

http://www.eia.doe.gov/oiaf/servicerpt/subsidy2/pdf/chap5.pdf

I am all in favor of dropping all subsidies to the power generation market and leveling the playing field but coal and oil interests will never let that happen. Wind, solar, and others just want their slice of the pie. Drop all subsidies to all different types of generation. Most, but not all. of the country has deregulated. Why do we continue to use tax dollars for any of this.

Possee,
While you are at it check out the subsidies that we pay already to the power generation market in this country now from the DOE. Energy is one of the most heavily subsidized industries with fossil and nuclear leading the way.

Possee,
You still didn't answer the question. ISO-NE dispatches the plants. CW would be able to zero bid to run.....but would get paid the day ahead price. The day ahead price is set by the ISO and not the MMS or any consultant that worked on the DEIS. CW would NOT be able to dictate the price they were paid. This is all covered in Market Rule 1. Please try again.

By the way the spot market is just that, the spot market. The spot market is what peaker plants operate on which is why peakers only operate during the summer months. Your info on the CW rates does not reference the spot market but the day ahead market.

By the way all offshore wind farms in the US haven't been stopped. Check out Bluewater in Deleware which has already signed a PPA.

http://www.bluewaterwind.com/pdfs/BluewaterWindDelawarerelease23Jun08.pdf

I'm still waiting for some facts about how CW will increase your rates.

Right from the Air Force:

http://www.beale.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=3976

Possee,
Still waiting to see YOUR facts on how CW will raise rates. You have any luck with that yet?

Magician,
You state that California wouldn't allow Pave Paws. Why then is it shown that there are two of these facilities in the US. One at Otis and the other at Beale AFB in.........California?

http://www.fas.org/spp/military/program/track/pavepaws.htm

Still waiting on an answer Neil.....

Gonzo,
Offshore oil and gas drilling.....a bogus attempt to rob us taxpayers for personal profit.....sound familiar?

Posse,
Please explain to me how CW would increase your, or anyone elses rates. Before you spew something that makes no sense read up on Market Rule 1 from ISO-NE that explains how plants are dispatched with economics in mind. Here is the link you need. See section III.1.7.6 Scheduling and Dispatch

http://www.nepool.com/regulatory/tariff/sect_3/mr1_sect_1-12_12-1-08.pdf

Page 118

The money quote is, "The ISO shall schedule Day-Ahead and schedule and dispatch in Real Time Resources economically on the basis of least cost, security constrained dispatch and the prices and operating characteristics offered by market participants."

It really is an insightful document that explains how plants are dispatched to the grid and how CW will not produce, and I quote from you, "with higer rates."

If you think you can prove me wrong please feel free to correct me. Bet you can't.

Christy,
What's wrong with oversight? Where is your yacht that you keep in Yarmouth all summer registered again? Do you pay taxes to Mass on it? Oh yea, you don't own it. The Yacht Ashley Inc owns it.

Sorry Buzz that I miss quoted you. It wasn't millions of years but a million years. Still a lot longer than the last ice age 25,000 years ago.

Wow Buzz, the view of Nantucket Sound from the Cape hasn't changed in, and I quote, "millions of years". Seeing the Cape was formed about 25,000 years ago, what was there 26,000 years ago?

http://pubs.usgs.gov/gip/capecod/glacial.html

Pete we ain't done,
I can tell by how naive you are that you have never worked for an international conglomorate like Siemens. You have no idea what the chain of command there is. You placed a call to Germany (Munich, Muelheim, or Berlin?) and got directed to Orlando and got the run around.

I bet your boy Mike laughed his a$$ off after your feeble phone call. Either that or Mike decided never to talk to his marketing folks. I'm betting on the former.

Pete continued,
As far as the quality of booze, well when you make what I make and have no family financial responsibilities cheap booze isn't in the equation. If that was a pathetic attempt to rile me up understand I deal daily at work with millwrights, boilermakers, and ironworkers. Please go back to school and try again. You are weak.

But back to the tooling. The head of tooling for turbine maintenance with Siemens goes through either Houston or Atlanta. The head of tooling at those facilities is a man named Doug Hoffman. His office is in Houston at 16530 Peninsula Street, Houston, TX. At that office (which until two years ago I worked out of) the wind maintainence group recently moved into. You can call 281-604-5200 if you like. A woman named Ceola will most likely answer the phone. Try Doug or Ron Macklin who is the director of the office. Ask them who Randy Zwirn is, or Vince Shatlock, or Craig Weeks. Find out I know what I am talking about.

Peter,
My imagined chain of command? You got your chain jerked by some German. Did he ask you "einmal blassen, bitte"? You stated, "I notice that it was not the head of Siemens U.S. (Mike Revak)" in this article http://www.capecodtoday.com/blogs/index.php/2008/11/21/economy-claims-cape-cod-sports-report?blog=109

The fact is the head of Siemens Energy Inc (who controls not only wind, but nuclear, gas, steam) is in fact Randy Zwirn. He is the CEO, even Siemens will state that, see here.
http://press.siemens.us/index.php?s=43&item=1001
and to see he is, in fact, over wind here
http://www.pbs.org/nbr/site/onair/gharib/060522_gharib/

I could keep going. Your boy Mike used to be a salesman and got himself a nice little gig, but the "head of Siemens US" he ain't.

I brought up Vince Shatlock because as the Head of Field Service Operations he would be in the know as he would have to make sure the specialty tooling needed for any maintenance would be procured. If you feel like it his email is Vince.Shatlock@siemens.com. I wouldn't expect a response though.

Peter,
PPS: Shortly after leaving Siemens I sold all of my energy stocks and with companies that do business with the same, and will not buy any so as not to be accused of any Conflict of Interest. Someone else should have followed my lead.

Peter,
I guess calling Mike was a mistake. If I were to call the head of Siemens Energy Inc I would try the CEO of SEI who is Randy Zwirn. Seeing a CEO is hard to get ahold of I might try to get in touch with his right hand man Craig Weeks. But me being me I might try one of two other ways. My first choice, because of how I think, would be Vince Shatlock who is the head of all field service for SEI US. I know Vince well, very nice guy who always buys me a couple of rounds when I see him. All of them can be reached at 407-736....find their numbers yourself.

I did none of the above. None of the above people will answer you seeing Siemens is a publically traded company. Do you think they would tell you anything?

I talked with people in SEI marketing. Those are the people that know.

PS: I know that Mike is the Director of Wind Resources for SEI because I know him too. Director is a ways below CEO.

I am shocked, SHOCKED!!!!! Even I know better than to tempt Conflict of Interest and I work in the dreaded private sector.

Smah,
Are you rabble rousing again? Only a couple of weeks for me left out here in the desert. I don't want to see another turbine (except for the one in MY backyard at the Academy) for at least six weeks when I finish here.

Windclimber,
Some of the other stuff brought up I have commented on. Specifically when I see others write how CW will raise electricity rates. I know that to be false. One only has to look as far as Market Rule 1 from ISO-NE on how plants are dispatched (I work the industry too sort of, no wind. Spent 8 years with Siemens working steam and gas turbines....now work for myself as a consultant....gotta love that Mass Maritime education).

I have seen Peter state in the past that his "sources" with Siemens told him that Siemens would not sell the 3.6 MW turbine in North America and I knew different from people I know with Siemens both here in the states and back in the Fatherland but didn't have the heart to burst his bubble. I knew the truth would come out and am still waiting for his reaction. I really found it funny that he wanted the CEO of Siemens USA to comment on a project under the direction of Siemens Canada. Oh well. Life goes on. Good luck with Vestas.

Neil,
I read that article when it came out as I get that magazine. You didn't do your wiz bang research though. If you had you would realize that every company that Jack Fusco has been CEO of was sold under his watch. Sometimes whole, sometimes piecemeal. I found it funny that right after he was named CEO NRG put in a bid for Calpine. NRG had bought out Texas Genco. At the time of the sale the CEO of Texas Genco was.........Jack Fusco. You're slipping Neil.

Again I ask, what does the CEO of Vestas have to do with any CEO of Siemens making a statement?

Smah,
I do know who will supply the turbines.

Excape,
I will never say that CW will reduce your rates. I will say that no way CW ever raises them either, and doubling them out of the question. Please refer to what is known as Market Rule 1 from ISO-NE and describes the whole process of how any power plant is dispatched to the grid at http://www.nepool.com/regulatory/tariff/sect_3/08-11-7_mr1_sect_1-12.pdf

You should read the document in it's whole but the proof in the pudding is located on page 113, Section III.1.7.6 and clearly states that, and I quote, "The ISO shall schedule Day-Ahead and schedule and dispatch in Real-Time Resources economically on the basis of least-cost, security-constrained dispatch sufficient Resources of the Market Participants to serve the New England Markets energy purchase requirements” etc

What this means is that plants are dispatched in order of who can generate electricity the cheapest. If CW were to be double it will not be able to get dispatched.

Neil,
Calpine isn't my employer it is a client of mine. When working any job I consider that client my employer as they are paying me for a service. I also count FP&L, Dominion, Oglethorpe, Dynegy, and others as clients. I do work Calpine jobs often and am on one right now. I only have a three rules on who I work for and when.

1. I only work five months a year. I can be sweet talked into six, but my price goes way up past five months.

2. I only work steam turbines, gas turbines, or generators couple to the same.

3. No nukes. I refuse to ever step foot into a nuke plant again.

When you were doing your wiz-bang research did you notice that not only did Calpine come out of bankrupcy in January but also has a new CEO by the name of Jack Fusco. Do a little wiz bang reasearch on him then tell me what you think is going to happen to Calpine. I have my thoughts but one way or another it will not matter to me what happens as I turn down more work than I take on.

So again I ask, what does the CEO of Vestas have to do with any CEO of Siemens?

Neil,
I don't know what Vestas CEO Ditlev Engel has to do with a CEO from Siemens (pick one as they have lots of divisions in many countries). Peter thought it odd that the CEO of Siemens US and/or Germany didn't release an announcement when it would have been Siemens Canada making any kind of statement.

But you ask about Vestas CEO Ditlev Engel? Seeing his company still touts offshore wind on their site and it doesn't make a 3.6MW turbine I would say it would be pen1$ envy. Others have a bigger stick.

smahkcep,

Enjoying the warmth of the desert. Staying in Needles, CA and working in Mohave Valley, AZ right across the Colorado. Laughlin, NV is about 30 miles away. Plenty of Casinos. I was out here for the "Tuck Rule/Snow Bowl" game in '02 staying at the Harrah's and watched somebody lose 50g's on that game. Be back in the bay mid-December.

Gotta love the time zone difference....

Peter,
Why would the head of Siemens US comment on contracts signed with Siemens Canada? Different operating companies with different CEO's. But what do I know? I only worked for Siemens for eight years and right now am watching Siemens overhaul a power plant in AZ.

Why would anyone in Germany comment? Again, different operating company.

As far as any problems with new turbines when introduced this is FAR more common than you could believe. Siemens, GE, Alstom, Toshiba.....they all produce turbines of different types (steam, gas, wind) that have problems. There is not a single turbine type ever built that did not have issues when first released, but the bugs always get worked out. Nothing built by man will ever be perfect.

murrbuck,
The canal plant is open to ensure reliability of electricity on the Cape side of the canal due to FERC standards, otherwise the plant would already be closed due to it's inability to compete on the open deregulated market. Putting up a third high voltage supply line across the canal would put the grid on that side of the bridge in compliance with FERC standards.

You pay NSTAR for delivery of electricity as they own the lines. NSTAR does not generate any electricity they only distrubute it in accordance with the deregulation of the industry that happened in 1997. It does not matter who you buy your electricity from you will always be paying NSTAR for delivery.

To answer your question on if canal supplies us the answer is yes as we live closest to the plant although right now it is not running to capacity. It COULD power the whole cape but the reason it doesn't is the plant runs on antiquated technology and cannot compete on the open market with other plants that are more efficient.

TS Kennedy......the ultimate booze cruise.

I need a new bottle of Gin!

EJ needs to get the contractors to hurry. I need my Veal Rollatini fix.

I highly doubt a man who owns convience stores knows more about the power generation industry than I do.

I got cut off....his CW quote

"I was telling one of my guys when this [wind farm] first came up, 'I wish I'd thought of this!' But as a businessman, I said I wouldn't have put it in my backyard -- I would have put it in someone else's backyard!"

Priceless

Yea Babs, Bill is a real honest man. From his mouth reported in the Providence Journal 9/15/2005.
"I had several geothermal power plants, one in Nevada, one in Costa Rica, and another in the Philippines. I had gas-fired plants, wood-powered plants, and an interest in a hydro-powered plant. And, to be quite blunt about it, I made a fortune off them. They made sense because of the law that required power companies to take delivery of my alternative energies at ever-increasing prices. I was selling mine at 12 cents when the market was 5 cents -- which was essentially a government subsidy, and something I was very happy, very proud, to take advantage of. I didn't make the rules; I just took advantage of them. When they got rid of the law, my price went to 3 cents, and I sold and got out, and then invested in oil and gas -- which was also good business."
And he complains about tax breaks for Cape Wind. Sorry, excuse me while I laugh.

Further in the interview he gets to the heart of the matter....

"I was telling one of my guys when this [wind farm] first came up, 'I wish I'd

I am shocked, SHOCKED!!!!!! Say it ain't so Mr. Koch!

Peckham......Gin?????? Sounds like someone I need to hang with. I love gin.

#4. Hard to answer that question without more information. Who do you buy from. It will not affect my rates period.

#5. About 50% of electricity in NE is generated by gas. Some of that gas comes from pipelines from Canada, some from domestic pipelines. The exact figures I can't give. The largest plant in NE burns coal and is located in Somerset, MA and they get most of their coal from South America. You would need to contact Pilgrim to find out where they get their rods from. I am betting they are either totally domestic or are reprocessed from Russian nuclear weapons.

#6. What percentage comes from the midwest and how much is just from coal burners in NE?

#7. I know many people here on the cape that have electric heat which they augment with wood stoves. There were a lot of houses built in the 1980's building boom that had electric heat put in. So not everybody uses oil or gas to power their home boilers.

Posse,
To answer your questions.

#1. To understand where the power will be used see Ohms Law which states V(oltage)=I(current) X R(esistance). When dealing with DC V=IR is correct, with AC it really is V=IZ (Z being impedance). Seeing I am not here to give a class on electrical theory understand that electricity will follow the path of least resistance. Trying to transmit over a long distance delivers said resistance.
Furthermore whom do you buy your juice from. For those of us who have taken advantage of the deregulation law, like myself, don't buy from NSTAR. What this means is when CW is running my juice will most likely come from them, but I will pay my provider as the grid is, in laymans terms, a pool.

#2. When CW ran there would be a decrease in ouput from plants in the following order. First would be oil, second gas, third coal. Pilgrim would not reduce load.

#3. No. There is no such thing as a "local grid" here. The grid is regional and operated by ISO-New England from their headquarters in Holyoke, MA.

Posse,
NSTAR offered this option prior to signing the contracts with the wind farms in New York and Maine, so this is not a new option just a new renewable supply. As far as reducing rates you could look into changing your supplier instead of getting ripped off by the NSTAR basic service. The deregulation law in this state allows you to purchase your power from many different suppliers. I buy mine from Dominion Energy which is the largest generator in New England and my price per kwhr is lower than the NSTAR basic serice. NSTAR still delivers my juice (distribution charges) as they own the lines.

The question I have is how do you think MY rates will go up due to Cape Wind when Dominion is in no way affiliated with CW?

Perhaps you could explain..

Posse,
First off National Grid does not own the grid. The "grid" in New England is run by a little operation called ISO-NE. Furthermore, here in SE Mass NSTAR distributes the electricity, not National Grid. National Grid is in the natural gas delivery business down here. Also NSTAR does not charge generators to feed the grid but charges the end user (see your electric bill for transmission charges). When asking people to do the math it helps to get the constants and variables correct.

Wow, Durkin and Tracy told me that Bluewater wouldn't be built. Imagine that!!!!!

I wonder why the Cape Cod Times, who has their finger on the pulse of such issues, hasn't reported this? I am shocked, SHOCKED!!!!!!

I'm shocked.....SHOCKED!!!

maverick,
And all I have done is state the facts on how the ISO-NE grid operates and throw in there that the electric market in Mass deregulated in the late 90's. You don't even have to buy your juice from NSTAR but are free to shop on the open market. What it comes down to is if investors are confident CW will make money (as all power plants strive to do) then they will invest. For your question on why they will not release their financials.....they are a private company and not publically traded on any stock exchange. They do have to disclose that information (which is propriatary) to potential investors.

maverick,
You jest. I give you the rules for running the grid and you respond with a letter from, excuse me while I laugh, Dona Tracy. What are her credentials again on the operations of the grid? How long has she worked in the industry? How long, for that matter, have you worked in it?

maverick,
"Away/Bay...if the towers are going up in 2010 why no Power Purchase Agreement?"

Just because I work in the power generation industry as an engineering consultant doesn't mean I have any stake in CW. Why don't you ask them? I don't deal with wind turbines at all. I deal with steam turbines(nukes, coal, oil) and gas turbines (peaking, cogeneration, combined cycle). I work steam and gas because they pay a lot better. A wind turbine will run you a couple of million, a gas or steam turbine for commercial power generation(without a generator and associated equipment) runs in the neighborhood of $40 million.

ifawsupporter,
NSTAR only delivers you electricity and , if you have basic service with them, buys the juice from different generators in the ISO-NE area (sometimes they import from the Hydro plants in Canada). If you have problems with power going out during storms it will not change. NSTAR owns the distribution lines and that will not change anytime in the future. What NSTAR does not do is generate electricity.

hamalcar,
If you want to lower your electric bill do a little research. From NSAR http://www.nstaronline.com/residential/account_services/rates_tariffs/competitive_supply/faq.asp. This explains electric deregulation. For a complete list of approved vendors who you can buy electricity from see here.
If you change service NSTAR will continue to deliver you electricity as they own the lines.

maverick,
You stated, "Jack C...while we put up with all the misinformation from You, WB, Away/Bay and others please bear with me."
What misinformation have I spread? That the electricity market in Mass deregulated in the late 1990's? That is a fact. How ISO-NE dispatches plants? That also is a fact. You are the one trying to misinform others by stating that electric rates would go up from a maximum 400MW project.

Monponsett,
I ran out of space. Basically with deregulation you would not be forced to buy your electricity from CW if you didn't want to. If something happened and you didn't buy from them anyway your bill couldn't go up.

Monponsett,
ISO-NE controls the grid in New England, not just Massachusetts. They dispatch plants for the grid in accordance with section III.1.7.6 on a least cost basis. What this means is plants that can produce the cheapest get dispatched first. Nuclear (Pilgrim, Millstone, Vermont Yankee) will go first then coal (Brayton Point, Salem Harbor) the oil (Canal) then gas (Manchester Street, Ocean State Power) etc. The only way a CW will be dispatched is if they enter into a long term PPA. With fuel prices rising CW gets more competitive every day. As far as deregulation I know you live in Buzzards Bay (I am on Taylors Point about 175 yards from their wind turbine). You get your electricity delivered by NSTAR and am betting that you have their basic service and you buy your power from them. NSTAR does not generate any electricity, but buys it from all of the different generators under ISO-NE. You are free to buy from other than NSTAR but NSTAR will continue to deliver your electricity as they own the lines. I buy my juice from Dominion (the largest generator in New England).

Monponsett,
CW would pay for turbines toppled in a hurricane. As far as higer fees, well that goes against Market Rule 1 of ISO-NE, see page 112 which deals with scheduling and dispatch http://www.iso-ne.com/regulatory/tariff/sect_3/v19_eff_1-9-08_mr1.pdf. Also in Massachusetts you are free to buy your electricity from more than one source http://www.nstaronline.com/residential/account_services/rates_tariffs/competitive_supply/faq.asp. Building one plant with a maximum output of 400+MW will neither increase or decrease your electric bill.

maverick,
Can you read up on Market Rule 1 from ISO-NE and the deregulation law we have here in Mass and then explain to me how electric rates will go up from Cape Wind? You will find that they will not.