The Facts About the Portsmouth Wind Turbine
As a member of the Subcommittee that was involved in the Wind Turbine project, I have refrained from responding to the unwarranted implication at the 24 September Town Council meeting, that there were some “mistakes” made by the Portsmouth Economic Development Committee (PEDC) in the planning leading up to the construction of the Wind Turbine in Portsmouth. To do so would lend this politically-motivated accusation credibility. That a subsequent proposal to have the PEDC investigate the decision-making process for “mistakes” was approved by all of our Town Councilors (two of whom are liaison members of the PEDC) was very disturbing. I have resigned from the PEDC because I feel that by accepting this proposal, the Town Council majority is trying to make use of the PEDC for their political gain. I refuse to be a party such manipulation. It seems time to set the record straight.
I believe that no “mistakes” were made by the PEDC during the development process. The fact is that all the steps in the PEDC process were open to the public and all major decisions were brought to the Town Council for their vote. Any major decisions therefore, were made by the Town Council after due discussion and public comments, which included those of the PCC. The process included analyses by respected wind energy consultants who noted no fatal flaws in the process and decisions. The entire process was freely open to public scrutiny and lasted well over two years. In a Town-wide referendum in November 2007, over 60% of Portsmouth voters approved of purchasing the Wind Turbine. A complete description of the process and its timelines, as well as the detailed feasibility study that was completed in 2004, is (and has always been) available on the PEDC website at http://www.portsmouthrienergy.com/windpower.htm
Since it became operational in March 2009, the Wind Turbine has netted over $400,000 in profits to the town after all expenses and loan payments were made. We would not have recommended this project if we didn’t expect to generate a constant flow of positive revenues for the town. Even with major repairs expected, positive revenues to the town are still anticipated in the future. Hindsight is always 20/20 and going back and reevaluating a process that started over 6 years ago is a waste of time. The Town Council and the PCC know this, but the PCC, with their constant flow of negativity about Portsmouth, is trying desperately to score political points prior to the November elections.
It is time that the Town leadership stop posturing for their political base and get on with either repairing or replacing the Wind Turbine gearbox or partnering with a private wind energy developer who might consider taking over its management. While I realize that this is a complex decision and that we need to get it right going forward, the Wind Turbine has sat idle for too long. A primary job of the Town Council is to make decisions, one for which this council has proven to be especially inept. Looking backward serves no purpose other than delaying a decision, something this council has done all too frequently in the past.
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William F Horan
12:04 pm on Sunday, October 7, 2012
The foundation for this mistake is based on a flawed National energy policy and a companion mistaken RI commitment to so called renewable green energy at any and all cost. The justification is based on counterfeit claims and corrupted science turned into a political weapon of choice. The unsustainable subsidies at the state & federal level in the last 4 years especially are outrageous. The flawed business, economic and technical aspects is self evident. The off grid remote location electrical generation approaches do not and cannot economically supplement or replace many other proven approaches. Furthermore. the choices for PTS should include repair it (at any and all cost),sell it / partnership arrangement - increasing the risk further, or freeze the losses and protect the rate payer and taxpayer e.g. abandon this ill conceived and unworkable enterprise that is based on an economic terrorism for the rate payer and tax payer. The Portsmouth Wind Turbine, Deep Water Wind, and East Bay Energy Consortium all following the already blazed European path to economic failure. The cult of true believers must understand that while this activity has been disruptive it is not based on a workable market driven disruptive technology.
Bill Carson
5:14 pm on Tuesday, October 16, 2012
PEDC : Wind turbines last longer than 20 years ? The PEDC painted way to rosy a picture for this financial fiasco. This is an attempt by government to install a Socialistic system where the only people that work are working for the government .The PEDC said it would last twenty years or more ! The truth is it may last twenty years spending more money every three years than it makes
http://www.portsmouthrienergy.com/fundingecon.htm
Q-F-7 - Have we considered the cost of maintenance and upkeep? What is the lifespan of a turbine?
A-F-7 - Our economic analysis is considering all the "cradle to grave" costs. That means everything from the construction of the turbine, operation and maintenance, to hauling it away at the end of its useful life is being considered. We have hired and expert firm to ensure we don't miss any of the costs of building and operating a turbine. As for the lifetime - turbines have a minimum expected life of 20 years. Our economic analysis will use that in our calculations. Many turbines outlive that 20 year life, so any added years of operation adds to its economic value.
J. Lane McMahon
5:28 pm on Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Hey Bill....Still trying to earn that paycheck from the Koch Brothers?
Bill Carson
10:56 am on Monday, October 8, 2012
The PEDC mistake #1. What was the financial business analysis of the wind turbine vendor. How did the wind contract company ensure that it could meet its financial goals ?
In April of 2008 the town signed a contract with AAER of Canada to build a wind turbine. For the six-month period ended June 30, 2008, AAER's net loss was over 5 million. AAER was listed on the TSX Venture Exchange. The TSX "Venture Exchange " in Canada is for companies whose assets, business and market capitalization were too small to be listed on the regular Toronto Stock Exchange. As of June 30,2008 AAER had not generated any revenue.
Did the Portsmouth Economic Development Committee (PEDC) share the negative financial statements of the wind turbine company in 2008 ? Was the Portsmouth Town Council and the taxpayers of Portsmouth aware of the risk involved with a start up wind turbine company ?