A reader passed on this letter to “The Daily Times” and is written by a Ms. Libby Nagel of Vienna. She identified herself as the "President of Dorchester Citizens for Safe Energy."
Her comments are below:
“The MAPP transmission line is one of many options for improving the reliability of electric service on the Delmarva Peninsula. At this point, it appears MAPP may be the most expensive option in terms of costs and ecological impacts. For example, new extra-high voltage circuits could be strung along an existing transmission line running from Harford County to the Peach Bottom nuclear plant to northern Delaware. This alternative costs a fourth of MAPP ($295 million vs. $1.2 billion) and affects a fraction of the lands impacted by MAPP.
The letter writer cited mothballing two of four Indian River generating units as a reason MAPP is urgently needed. However, the two aging units generate but 137 megawatts of electricity. The larger remaining units will generate 620 megawatts -- enough for a half-million homes.
PJM is responsible for transmission line planning in 13 states, including Delmarva. Last April, PJM announced that the Delaware portion of MAPP was not needed and placed this section on indefinite hold. In July, the Maryland Public Service Commission suspended the review of MAPP due to the PJM action.
Given that MAPP is not urgently needed, Maryland should join Delaware in taking a comprehensive look at all options for maintaining reliable, low-cost electric service. If MAPP proves to be the best option, then Dorchester Citizens for Safe Energy would support a well-designed project.”
In summation, she is stating her case as if there is only one transmission line that needs to be considered. For those educated in electrical engineering, it is plain that she does not even have the basic understanding of Ohms Law. What MAPP is offering is THREE access points for electrical transmission routes. One will supply the Delmarva Peninsula from across the Chesapeake Bay. The second one will come down from the Wilmington / Philadelphia route. The third will be able to feed coming across the north end of the Delaware Bay.
Let me try to explain it this way. If you run just one transmission route like Ms. Nagel is stating would be like having one extension cord with a hundred electrical appliances, tools, etc. plugged into it. It will not be long before you have overloaded the circuit causing a short circuit or even causing a fire. It is the diversification that the three routes provide so the electrical load required for the Delmarva Peninsula is what will make the electrical grid secure and stable.
When she makes the statement that 620 megawatts being enough for half-million homes…I guess she does not need electric for business, industry, traffic and street light, etc. I can only think of the saying, “A little knowledge is a very dangerous thing,” and Ms. Nagel has demonstrated her sever lack of knowledge in this subject by the statements in her letter.
When she stated, “Given that MAPP is not urgently needed,” and yet it has been noted that Delmarva could start experiencing rolling black outs by 2011; her statement is more out of desire than actual facts. How long does Ms. Nagel think a transmission line takes to be constructed? The time to address this transmission route is NOW.
As I see it, Ms. Nagel’s letter to The Daily Times identifying herself as the "President of Citizens for Safe Energy," would be better off proclaiming herself as the President of the Dorchester's chapter of the Mickey Mouse Club based on what I noted as her lack of understanding of electrical engineering per her comments.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Delmarva’s Electric Power Needs
I was contemplating why there was such concern for the few people on this new DC transmission line that is to come across the Chesapeake Bay into shores of Dorchester County that then continues to Vienna. I took note to review the existing transmission lines that already run to and from the Vienna area. There are already seven transmission lines that range from 69kV to 230kV. How could anyone notice this new transmission line when there are already so many to blend in with? The seven existing transmission lines have not ruined or devastated Dorchester County’s natural beauty, ruined farmland, or destroyed existing chicken houses. This has been the opposition’s allegations directed at MAPP that upon real review does not stand up to the charges.
Pepco has held four meetings around Dorchester in the past few weeks to quell the fears of the citizens, to get input, and pass on accurate information. Jonathan Travers Chronicles has been passing on information for the last couple of months to educate the citizens of not only Dorchester County, but Delmarva in general.
Upon the completion of the meetings, the Vice President of Delmarva Power, John J. Allen Jr., noted feedback from the citizens in general has been, "Most people are pretty neutral about it." After the meetings Mr. Allen was approached by many attending saying that they would be happy with a line that was hidden in the woods.
I myself have noted the same feedback from those whom I have spoken with and explained the reasons for the need of MAPP. Given the choice of potential rolling blackouts by 2011, or worst, a catastrophic electrical failure on the infrastructure grid from overloads; compared to the addition of one more transmission line going to Vienna; people understand the choice for the need of MAPP to be built.
The Public Service Commission report released last December warned that the Delmarva Peninsula could experience rolling blackouts as early as 2011 to helped people understand the reason for MAPP’s conception. MAPP was not thought up as a means to ruin people’s lives. The Delmarva Peninsula is in dire need to address this situation of lost generation supply. As Marynan Spear, a Vienna resident, stated, "If you need it, you need it."
Well I can’t say it any better than that. Adding transmission lines is essential to keeping power running and people’s lights on. The Eastern Shore lacks a strong transmission system to get power here and we need to firm up the electrical grid system. The single source coming from the Wilmington / Philadelphia area is not the answer as this is the main problem now. Diversification of several sources like transmission runs coming across the Delaware Bay from New Jersey, coming from Calvert Cliffs across the Chesapeake Bay, and down from the north of the Peninsula is the way to address the need.
Finaly, and this may not be the case for Dorchester County because we have slated “NO GROWTH” as our county’s comprehensive plan, but demand for energy on the rest of the Delmarva Peninsula is projected to increase 20 percent over the next 10 years.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Dorchester Tourist Board’s Blatant Lie
I received this information recently from one of my readers in Dorchester County. It is an e-mail message generated by the Dorchester Tourist Board making their opposition to MAPP known. It is titled, “A Shore Worth Saving: Preserving our Past, Protecting our Future.”
As I have stated before in this blog:
“The success of a Democracy is based on the art of truth.”
The picture of the transmission tower was very prevalent in their e-mail, but is in no way accurate of what is being proposed by Delmarva Power. In fact, it represents a blatant lie and its only purpose is to play on the emotions of uninformed citizens of Dorchester County. As with much of those whom are in opposition to MAPP, they are still propagating misleading, and inaccurate information with the hopes of directing the citizens of Dorchester to be in opposition also. As I have asked before and will ask again, “What do THEY have to gain?”
This photo is exactly what Delmarva Power is proposing. The two top lines are for lighting protection. It is just two lines because the AC (alternating current) will be rectified on the Western Shore to DC (direct current, positive and negative). It will come under the bay to Dorchester County but will still be two lines of DC being supported by a single steel pole until it reaches Vienna. This is where it will be inverted back into AC and then follows the existing right-of-ways to the other locations through out the Delmarva Peninsula. The bottom three lines are the typical three phase electrical power line going to your house, work, etc. You could also run telephone and cable TV lines on these electric poles also. As you can see, crops are being grown right underneath the power lines, chickens are being raised close by, etc. So when the opponents make claims to the opposite, as you can well see, it is not even close to being accurate. THEY ARE LYING TO THE CITIZENS OF DORCHESTER COUNTY SO WHAT DO THEY HAVE TO GAIN?!?
The reality is quite a big difference to what the Dorchester Tourist Board’s lie that they were trying to pass off. If their message cannot stand up to the light of truth, then it is not much of an argument in the first place and should be ignored.
The Dorchester Tourist Board goes on to imply that the area where Harriet Tubman grew up, escaped slavery and started her mission to lead other slaves into freedom, will be irrevocably harmed and destroyed. So I guess those of the Dorchester Tourist Board would want the citizens Dorchester County today to have the exact same access to reliable and stable electric power that Harriet Tubman had access to in her time. This of course would be NONE! The members of the Dorchester Tourist Board are presenting their argument with the intellectual stupidly equal to those characters from the “Hee Haw” TV show. One can only wonder what the conversations must be like in that office, “We wants to keep this area real purddy.”
Now it is time to ask the question to the “Hee Haw” Dorchester Country Tourist Board, “In your twenty plus years that I know of being funded by the citizens of Dorchester; what of any significance do you have to show for this investment and please don’t point to the Hyatt because you really had nothing to do with that. What you ARE proposing would make sure that the Hyatt would not have an adequate supply of electrical power for the place to operate. Maybe it should be time to disband this waste of government tax payer’s money.”
In summation, I know that there have been many directors that have come and gone with nothing to show for our efforts. Now you want to direct your recourses and manpower to make sure that the citizens of Delmarva, especially Dorchester County, will not have reliable and stable electric power? Please note again that this opposition effort is using our tax payer’s dollars and is all based on a blatant lie. In the least, a severe budget cut should be in order.
I think that this should become a very big campaign issue in our next election in 2010.
As I have stated before in this blog:
“The success of a Democracy is based on the art of truth.”
The picture of the transmission tower was very prevalent in their e-mail, but is in no way accurate of what is being proposed by Delmarva Power. In fact, it represents a blatant lie and its only purpose is to play on the emotions of uninformed citizens of Dorchester County. As with much of those whom are in opposition to MAPP, they are still propagating misleading, and inaccurate information with the hopes of directing the citizens of Dorchester to be in opposition also. As I have asked before and will ask again, “What do THEY have to gain?”
This photo is exactly what Delmarva Power is proposing. The two top lines are for lighting protection. It is just two lines because the AC (alternating current) will be rectified on the Western Shore to DC (direct current, positive and negative). It will come under the bay to Dorchester County but will still be two lines of DC being supported by a single steel pole until it reaches Vienna. This is where it will be inverted back into AC and then follows the existing right-of-ways to the other locations through out the Delmarva Peninsula. The bottom three lines are the typical three phase electrical power line going to your house, work, etc. You could also run telephone and cable TV lines on these electric poles also. As you can see, crops are being grown right underneath the power lines, chickens are being raised close by, etc. So when the opponents make claims to the opposite, as you can well see, it is not even close to being accurate. THEY ARE LYING TO THE CITIZENS OF DORCHESTER COUNTY SO WHAT DO THEY HAVE TO GAIN?!?
The reality is quite a big difference to what the Dorchester Tourist Board’s lie that they were trying to pass off. If their message cannot stand up to the light of truth, then it is not much of an argument in the first place and should be ignored.
The Dorchester Tourist Board goes on to imply that the area where Harriet Tubman grew up, escaped slavery and started her mission to lead other slaves into freedom, will be irrevocably harmed and destroyed. So I guess those of the Dorchester Tourist Board would want the citizens Dorchester County today to have the exact same access to reliable and stable electric power that Harriet Tubman had access to in her time. This of course would be NONE! The members of the Dorchester Tourist Board are presenting their argument with the intellectual stupidly equal to those characters from the “Hee Haw” TV show. One can only wonder what the conversations must be like in that office, “We wants to keep this area real purddy.”
Now it is time to ask the question to the “Hee Haw” Dorchester Country Tourist Board, “In your twenty plus years that I know of being funded by the citizens of Dorchester; what of any significance do you have to show for this investment and please don’t point to the Hyatt because you really had nothing to do with that. What you ARE proposing would make sure that the Hyatt would not have an adequate supply of electrical power for the place to operate. Maybe it should be time to disband this waste of government tax payer’s money.”
In summation, I know that there have been many directors that have come and gone with nothing to show for our efforts. Now you want to direct your recourses and manpower to make sure that the citizens of Delmarva, especially Dorchester County, will not have reliable and stable electric power? Please note again that this opposition effort is using our tax payer’s dollars and is all based on a blatant lie. In the least, a severe budget cut should be in order.
I think that this should become a very big campaign issue in our next election in 2010.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
What Is the Eastern Shore Land Conservancy?
In classical mythology, A Trojan priest of Apollo had a vision. He and his sons were killed by serpents when he foresaw the disaster for Troy in the Trojan horse left by the Greeks. This priest of Apollo’s final words was, “Beware of Greeks bearing gifts.”
This is a good lesson that may need to be applied today with the Eastern Shore Land Conservancy.
Many people have been asking questions of Delmarva Power / Pecpo with reference to MAPP, but as anyone been asking questions of the Eastern Shore Land Conservancy? Why are they getting a free ride on this issue? Is there a Western Shore Land Conservancy? Isn’t the farm land on the Western Shore in more danger of being lost to development than on the Eastern Shore? I am very sure of the correctness of this statement.
When the Dorchester County Commissioners wanted to have a meeting and speak with the Eastern Shore Land Conservancy to get a better idea whom they were dealing with, they were directed to the local Cambridge office. When the Dorchester Country Commissioners asked the names of the Board of Directors for the Eastern Shore Land Conservancy, they were refused this information.
1. What is ESLC hiding?
2. Why are the names of the Board of Directors for the Eastern Shore Land Conservancy, what should be public knowledge, such a big secret.
3. What does this “Save the Farm Land” environmental group have so much to hide that they don’t want this simplistic information known?
The ESLC has recently sent out letter to citizens of Dorchester soliciting money to hire lawyers to file suite against MAPP.
4. Why is it so important for the ESLC’s Board of Directors to stop the MAPP transmission line?
5. Why does the Board of Directors of ESLC feel that it is so important for the Delmarva Peninsula not to be able to replace the generated electric power that will soon be lost?
I have already stated that the current demand is greater than what will be left after the Coal and Oil electric generating power plants will be shut down in the Wilmington / Philadelphia area.
Now in conclusion, why is to so important to the Eastern Shore Land Conservancy that the Delmarva Peninsula, especially including Dorchester County, be subjected to the level of a third world country status with diminished available electric power?
So the real question that should be asked is, “What do these “Secret Board of Directors” of ESLC have to gain by opposing MAPP?!?”
This is a good lesson that may need to be applied today with the Eastern Shore Land Conservancy.
Many people have been asking questions of Delmarva Power / Pecpo with reference to MAPP, but as anyone been asking questions of the Eastern Shore Land Conservancy? Why are they getting a free ride on this issue? Is there a Western Shore Land Conservancy? Isn’t the farm land on the Western Shore in more danger of being lost to development than on the Eastern Shore? I am very sure of the correctness of this statement.
When the Dorchester County Commissioners wanted to have a meeting and speak with the Eastern Shore Land Conservancy to get a better idea whom they were dealing with, they were directed to the local Cambridge office. When the Dorchester Country Commissioners asked the names of the Board of Directors for the Eastern Shore Land Conservancy, they were refused this information.
1. What is ESLC hiding?
2. Why are the names of the Board of Directors for the Eastern Shore Land Conservancy, what should be public knowledge, such a big secret.
3. What does this “Save the Farm Land” environmental group have so much to hide that they don’t want this simplistic information known?
The ESLC has recently sent out letter to citizens of Dorchester soliciting money to hire lawyers to file suite against MAPP.
4. Why is it so important for the ESLC’s Board of Directors to stop the MAPP transmission line?
5. Why does the Board of Directors of ESLC feel that it is so important for the Delmarva Peninsula not to be able to replace the generated electric power that will soon be lost?
I have already stated that the current demand is greater than what will be left after the Coal and Oil electric generating power plants will be shut down in the Wilmington / Philadelphia area.
Now in conclusion, why is to so important to the Eastern Shore Land Conservancy that the Delmarva Peninsula, especially including Dorchester County, be subjected to the level of a third world country status with diminished available electric power?
So the real question that should be asked is, “What do these “Secret Board of Directors” of ESLC have to gain by opposing MAPP?!?”
Friday, July 31, 2009
The Truth of MAPP's Opponents
"All truth passes through three stages.
First, it is ridiculed.
Second, it is violently opposed.
Third, it is accepted as being self-evident."
Arthur Schopenhauer (1788 - 1860)
With this posting is where the fun begins. Now that the opponents to MAPP have been exposed as trying to pass on misleading arguments that are weak at best, and the ONLY means at their disposal for their opposition, it has come to my attention that the opposition is now trying to discredit the editor of Jonathan Travers Chronicles. Many people know and have heard the old adage, “If you cannot attach and counter argue the message, attack the messenger!!”
I have listed some of my favorites below:
1. There are those who say that the editor is a paid writer by Pepco.
Answer: While I take this as quite a complement as the litmus test to the quality of my writing, I have to say that this is not accurate in anyway, shape, or form. I sincerely thank you for the adulation though.
2. The opposition is questioning why I have only written about MAPPs and no other news.
Answer: This IS the most important and current NEWS that has the largest potential effect on local issues. If the citizens of Delmarva allow these weak and misleading arguments to jeopardize the quality and reliability of our electric power supply, then we all will suffer economically in so many ways emulating a third world country.
3. The opposition is also making speculative comments that the editor of the Jonathan Travers Chronicles is looking to gain personally from the new transmission line.
Answer: The only gain that the editor of Jonathan Travers Chronicles could ever receive is the same as everyone…..reliable and sustainable quality electric power replacing what will soon be lost.
So I will reiterate the important facts again for summation:
1. Most of the power that the Delmarva Peninsula has access to now is generated in the Philadelphia / Wilmington area. This electric generation is from coal, oil, and a nuclear power plant. The coal and oil power plants are being shut down in this area, much like Indian River coal power plant, so there will be a large loss in available generated electric power.
2. The current demand is greater than what will be left of the generation being produced in this area. To transport rail road cars full of coal or tankers of imported mid-east oil, is not cost effective nor competitive to the electric power generated in the Western Pennsylvania, West Virginia, & Ohio where the source of fuel is located. I am speaking of coal and wind generated electric power that is currently available now.
In conclusion, no matter if you go with wind, solar, tidal, coal, oil, or nuclear……you are still going to need the transmission / distribution lines to make it available to where the demand is. This argument is a mute point as far as MAPP transmission line is concerned and the opposition knows this.
That is why the first argument tack is to fill peoples’ heads with incorrect or misleading information based on very little substance. This is why they speak of the "Lost Beauty of Dorchester." Again, all flash and no substance.
The second is to project speculative doubt on the one who is presenting the true facts of the issues that are going to affect the citizens of the Delmarva Peninsula. I have access to the exact same information and data as the people in opposition to MAPP. The exception is I have no problem presenting what the true results are.
First, it is ridiculed.
Second, it is violently opposed.
Third, it is accepted as being self-evident."
Arthur Schopenhauer (1788 - 1860)
With this posting is where the fun begins. Now that the opponents to MAPP have been exposed as trying to pass on misleading arguments that are weak at best, and the ONLY means at their disposal for their opposition, it has come to my attention that the opposition is now trying to discredit the editor of Jonathan Travers Chronicles. Many people know and have heard the old adage, “If you cannot attach and counter argue the message, attack the messenger!!”
I have listed some of my favorites below:
1. There are those who say that the editor is a paid writer by Pepco.
Answer: While I take this as quite a complement as the litmus test to the quality of my writing, I have to say that this is not accurate in anyway, shape, or form. I sincerely thank you for the adulation though.
2. The opposition is questioning why I have only written about MAPPs and no other news.
Answer: This IS the most important and current NEWS that has the largest potential effect on local issues. If the citizens of Delmarva allow these weak and misleading arguments to jeopardize the quality and reliability of our electric power supply, then we all will suffer economically in so many ways emulating a third world country.
3. The opposition is also making speculative comments that the editor of the Jonathan Travers Chronicles is looking to gain personally from the new transmission line.
Answer: The only gain that the editor of Jonathan Travers Chronicles could ever receive is the same as everyone…..reliable and sustainable quality electric power replacing what will soon be lost.
So I will reiterate the important facts again for summation:
1. Most of the power that the Delmarva Peninsula has access to now is generated in the Philadelphia / Wilmington area. This electric generation is from coal, oil, and a nuclear power plant. The coal and oil power plants are being shut down in this area, much like Indian River coal power plant, so there will be a large loss in available generated electric power.
2. The current demand is greater than what will be left of the generation being produced in this area. To transport rail road cars full of coal or tankers of imported mid-east oil, is not cost effective nor competitive to the electric power generated in the Western Pennsylvania, West Virginia, & Ohio where the source of fuel is located. I am speaking of coal and wind generated electric power that is currently available now.
In conclusion, no matter if you go with wind, solar, tidal, coal, oil, or nuclear……you are still going to need the transmission / distribution lines to make it available to where the demand is. This argument is a mute point as far as MAPP transmission line is concerned and the opposition knows this.
That is why the first argument tack is to fill peoples’ heads with incorrect or misleading information based on very little substance. This is why they speak of the "Lost Beauty of Dorchester." Again, all flash and no substance.
The second is to project speculative doubt on the one who is presenting the true facts of the issues that are going to affect the citizens of the Delmarva Peninsula. I have access to the exact same information and data as the people in opposition to MAPP. The exception is I have no problem presenting what the true results are.
Friday, July 24, 2009
Electric Generation From Renewable Energy Supplying The MAPP Transmission Line
I have heard many misinformed comments from those who oppose the MAPP transmission line. One of the questions is, “Why don’t we build windmills or other green energy sources instead of this MAPP transmission line to supply electric power to the Delmarva Peninsula.
(Click on the Map to make it larger)
With this being said, I would like to pass on this information with regards to Delmarva Power / Pepco. Currently renewable energy already represents about 4% of the generation demand required for the Mid-Atlantic area, and it is increasing each year. The above map shows where and what type of renewable energy projects are proposed for the future. The Delmarva Peninsula will benefit greatly from this renewable energy source with the MAPP transmission. By supporting the MAPP transmission line, you will be supporting renewable energy sources from Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, and New Jersey. Now that is quite a decent area. This also gives an idea of how large the infrastructure grid is that the Delmarva Peninsula has access to and is supplied by.
Now in closing, I want to point out that no matter where or by what method the electric power is being generated, the power still needs transmission / distribution lines to bring the power to where it is needed.
(Click on the Map to make it larger)
With this being said, I would like to pass on this information with regards to Delmarva Power / Pepco. Currently renewable energy already represents about 4% of the generation demand required for the Mid-Atlantic area, and it is increasing each year. The above map shows where and what type of renewable energy projects are proposed for the future. The Delmarva Peninsula will benefit greatly from this renewable energy source with the MAPP transmission. By supporting the MAPP transmission line, you will be supporting renewable energy sources from Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, and New Jersey. Now that is quite a decent area. This also gives an idea of how large the infrastructure grid is that the Delmarva Peninsula has access to and is supplied by.
Now in closing, I want to point out that no matter where or by what method the electric power is being generated, the power still needs transmission / distribution lines to bring the power to where it is needed.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Jonathan Travers Chronicles Response To The Star Democrat / Dorchester Star’s Articles Against the Mid-Atlantic Power Pathway Project.
I want to start off this news article posting with a quote from Thomas Jefferson that states, “He who knows nothing is closer to the truth than he whose mind is filled with falsehoods and errors.”
Now from my own viewpoint, “The success of a Democracy is based on the art of truth.”
This article is a Point / Counter-Point to recent articles published by the Star Democrat and the sister paper, Dorchester Star.
First off the Star Democrat’s article, ESLC launches campaign against Power Pathway; June 25, 2009 makes some misleading statements. The first example being, “The rights-of-way required for the lines would consume 650 acres of Dorchester’s agriculture, forest and rural lands.” The COUNTER POINT is that the right-of-ways required would still be agriculturally farmed. There are plenty right-of-ways examples around to see for yourself of existing 230kV and lower voltage power transmission lines that have crops growing directly underneath these power lines. The reference to the strip required for the forest land will provide the grass lands with new growth and vegetation that wildlife needs to feed on. The other reference to rural lands has a vague meaning to what they are referring to but no more room that the electric supporting pole structure would take up, surely very little rural lands will be taken up. So in conclusion to this statement, the farm land will still be farmed, wildlife will be supplied with a better food source areas to survive on, and nothing will be consumed as the Star Democrat’s statement makes.
Second statement by Morgan Elllis of the Regional Land Use Planner states, “If approved as proposed, this transmission line would completely and irrevocably alter the amazing rural character of Dorchester County.” The COUNTER POINT to this is, except for the relative short run from where the underwater power lines come up on the shoreline in Dorchester County to the Vienna site, the new 500kV transmission lines will be using the same right-of-ways of the existing 230kV or 138kV transmission lines so there will be no alterations to the rural character. Dorchester County is the largest land area county in Maryland and unless people take it upon themselves to drive and look at the power lines for themselves, the vast majority of the population in Dorchester will not even see this new power line pathway.
The article concludes with recommendations for saving energy and money. This is good advice for everyone no matter if you are for or against the MAPP power transmission line. Many towns are investigating replacing the existing street lights with new and more efficient inductive lighting or light emitting diode street lights. Bottom line here is, making better and more efficient use of the power supplied now is good, but it will still not make up for the amount of power required for future growth. So if the article is trying to make the statement that if you implement their suggestions and save energy, you will not need the electric power that will be supplied by MAPP; this is an inaccurate and misleading statement.
Moving onto Gail Dean’s article in the Dorchester Star published on June 19, 2009. In this piece the Editor printed, “Pepco Holdings, the power company including Delmarva Power, which has been told to build the line by the regional PJM power grid.”
Wow?!? Where to start with this? First off, there is no such thing as a “Regional PJM Power Grid." PJM simply stands for Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Maryland and the state of Delaware has now been included since its conception. PJM is an oversight committee made up of knowledgeable people in the industry but they do not tell power utilities to build anything. With their overall view of the mid-Atlantic region, they may foresee the need of additional electrical power in a largely fast growth area and make a recommendation that an area will need to be addressed before a real problem arises with power grid supply. It is up to the regional utilities to come up with how they want to approach, address, correct, and build the infrastructure power grid to make sure there is enough electrical power being supplied to a regional area.
There is one accurate statement made in the article when it was written that “Property owner's resistance will determine which of these routes will be the final route,” but if a conscience of one or another of these routes can not be reached, the Eminent Domain condemnation is something that could occur.
The sacrifice of the few for the betterment of the many.
Now from my own viewpoint, “The success of a Democracy is based on the art of truth.”
This article is a Point / Counter-Point to recent articles published by the Star Democrat and the sister paper, Dorchester Star.
First off the Star Democrat’s article, ESLC launches campaign against Power Pathway; June 25, 2009 makes some misleading statements. The first example being, “The rights-of-way required for the lines would consume 650 acres of Dorchester’s agriculture, forest and rural lands.” The COUNTER POINT is that the right-of-ways required would still be agriculturally farmed. There are plenty right-of-ways examples around to see for yourself of existing 230kV and lower voltage power transmission lines that have crops growing directly underneath these power lines. The reference to the strip required for the forest land will provide the grass lands with new growth and vegetation that wildlife needs to feed on. The other reference to rural lands has a vague meaning to what they are referring to but no more room that the electric supporting pole structure would take up, surely very little rural lands will be taken up. So in conclusion to this statement, the farm land will still be farmed, wildlife will be supplied with a better food source areas to survive on, and nothing will be consumed as the Star Democrat’s statement makes.
Second statement by Morgan Elllis of the Regional Land Use Planner states, “If approved as proposed, this transmission line would completely and irrevocably alter the amazing rural character of Dorchester County.” The COUNTER POINT to this is, except for the relative short run from where the underwater power lines come up on the shoreline in Dorchester County to the Vienna site, the new 500kV transmission lines will be using the same right-of-ways of the existing 230kV or 138kV transmission lines so there will be no alterations to the rural character. Dorchester County is the largest land area county in Maryland and unless people take it upon themselves to drive and look at the power lines for themselves, the vast majority of the population in Dorchester will not even see this new power line pathway.
The article concludes with recommendations for saving energy and money. This is good advice for everyone no matter if you are for or against the MAPP power transmission line. Many towns are investigating replacing the existing street lights with new and more efficient inductive lighting or light emitting diode street lights. Bottom line here is, making better and more efficient use of the power supplied now is good, but it will still not make up for the amount of power required for future growth. So if the article is trying to make the statement that if you implement their suggestions and save energy, you will not need the electric power that will be supplied by MAPP; this is an inaccurate and misleading statement.
Moving onto Gail Dean’s article in the Dorchester Star published on June 19, 2009. In this piece the Editor printed, “Pepco Holdings, the power company including Delmarva Power, which has been told to build the line by the regional PJM power grid.”
Wow?!? Where to start with this? First off, there is no such thing as a “Regional PJM Power Grid." PJM simply stands for Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Maryland and the state of Delaware has now been included since its conception. PJM is an oversight committee made up of knowledgeable people in the industry but they do not tell power utilities to build anything. With their overall view of the mid-Atlantic region, they may foresee the need of additional electrical power in a largely fast growth area and make a recommendation that an area will need to be addressed before a real problem arises with power grid supply. It is up to the regional utilities to come up with how they want to approach, address, correct, and build the infrastructure power grid to make sure there is enough electrical power being supplied to a regional area.
There is one accurate statement made in the article when it was written that “Property owner's resistance will determine which of these routes will be the final route,” but if a conscience of one or another of these routes can not be reached, the Eminent Domain condemnation is something that could occur.
The sacrifice of the few for the betterment of the many.
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