Another MB Hydro Leak

The NDP supporters continue to rally behind the west-side for Bipole, but leak after leak show the NDP have known for a long time it's the wrong decision. They have been lying to Manitobans for years and they have no credibility on this issue whatsoever.

SECRET 2005 HYDRO REPORT –

HYDRO’S REAL THOUGHTS REVEALED, NDP DENIAL EXPOSED

Denial - an unconscious defense mechanism used to reduce anxiety by denying thoughts, feelings, or facts that are consciously intolerable.

Important excerpts from a secret report from 2005 to the Manitoba Hydro board are below.  The report was obtained by the Manitoba Progressive Conservatives.

·         “Investigation into the technical implications of the far west routing for a BiPole III transmission line has revealed significant problems and, as such, cannot be recommended for development at this time.” (Pg. 3 BiPole III Alternative Routing Implications - Report to the Manitoba Hydro-Electric Board, January 20, 2005)

·         “These technical and timing implications for BiPole III lead to serious concerns about the viability of future development of our proposed northern hydroelectric projects and associated north-south outlet transmission.  Our ongoing negotiations with Ontario for a significant sale of power will be compromised by the delays, and our profitable participation in the US export market will be affected in our firm price sales are downgraded due to interruptible reliability concerns.” (Pg. 4)

·          “A western routing for BiPole III would provide an outlet for future northern generation under normal operating conditions.  However, any major new northern generation development would be subject to reliability risk in that a portion of northern generation would be stranded under a BiPole corridor outage situation dependent upon loading conditions. Full development of the remaining northern generation will require three additional corridors or north-south transmission, which would be extremely difficult to site if the east side is excluded.” (Pg. 7)

·         “Additional rate increases would be experienced as a result of requirements to implement a much costlier Western routing and due to costs that would be incurred through the advancement of future requirements to address reliability.” (Pg. 8 )

·         “A Western routing corridor would impact upon similar areas of boreal forest and similar numbers of First Nations communities as the originally planned east side routing.  This routing option would provide no advantage in terms of physical or environmental impact upon the land and by virtue of its greater length, would have a larger physical footprint.  The Western route would also traverse a significant area of private developed lands, adding complexity to routing selection and land acquisition.” (Pg. 8)

·         “Investigation into the technical implications of the far west route option has revealed significant problems and, as such, cannot be recommended for development at this time.  This option would cost significantly more, would require BiPole III converters (as well as the line), would not be capable of parallel HVdc operations (thus would limit the amount of power transmitted to southern Manitoba during corridor outages and advances the need for a fourth north-south transmission line), would have significantly decreased loss reduction benefits, would increase complexity of line routing in the Winnipeg area and would delay a possible in-service date for BiPole III by three years.” (Pg.9)

·         “A BiPole III transmission line far west routing would lead to serious degredation of the normal day-to-day and emergency operation of the critically important Manitoba Hydro HVdc system and therefore cannot be advocated as technically viable.” (Pg. 1 –Technical Analysis of a Western Routing for the Bipole III Transmission Line prepared January 13, 2005 by Manitoba Hydro)

·         “This report, along with the attached companion report by Transgrid Solutions Consultants, identifies significant technical issues with the far west route that would be attempted to be resolved through new and modified equipment and controls in both Bipoles I and II.  Such additional complexity would raise the probability of valve  group, pole and bipole outages in both existing bipoles, thereby threatening not only the Manitoba load serving function of the HVdc system but also threatening export sales through degraded product reliability.  Further, to attempt such a technical resolution in a heavily utilized HVdc system which will, at that time, be more than ten years older than today cannot be professionally advocated and is the basis for the technical non-acceptability of the far west routing.” (Pg. 1)

Sask has lowest taxes in Canada

Great story on the National Post today. As you can see, Manitoba's provincial taxes are much higher than Sask, Alta, BC or even Ont. And we are really lagging behind Sask when it comes to overall taxes paid. Lower Hydro rates can't make up for that big a gap between provincial neighbours, no matter what the NDP spins.

http://news.nationalpost.com/2011/05/25/nova-scotians-the-most-taxed-in-canada-provincial-report/

The indirect route

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/Manitoba-connects-with-Minnesota-on-power-deal-122577419.html

So Manitoba signed a deal with Minnesota. Which is to the south east. So or course bipole is headed south west. The longer route will waste how much clean power? Power that will need to be made up elsewhere with dirty, carbon-burning energy, likely coal. But that's OK to the enviromental crowd, right?

Goodbye Orange

The Orange Rod, the very reason I created this blog, is leaving for four years to accomplish nothing in Ottawa. She's packing her bags and taking her, er, expertise to the nation's capital to aid the federal NDP. Which is great if you're a fan of the federal Conservatives.
That's because Orange was wrong more times than I can recall. She was wrong about the Coyotes coming - on several occasions. She was wrong about the federal byelection. She was wrong about the federal election here in Manitoba. She, for some reason, thinks there could be an NDP or PC minority while at the same time saying Jon Gerrard, the only Liberal MLA in the province, could lose his seat. I'm not sure what sort of math classes she took, but if I'm a political operative, I really want someone like Orange opposing me. It's hard to find someone who's wrong that often.
I will miss Orange - she was great at giving me blog ideas, such as the time she called anyone who doesn't vote NDP stupid. She was the gift who just kept on giving.
Should I keep on posting? Maybe not so much as summer approaches, but I'm sure I'll keep it up, especially until the election.
It just won't be the same without ol' Orange around.

The Orange Hush?

http://www.winnipegsun.com/2011/05/04/manitobas-orange-hush

Orange Purge? NDP has not been doing well in Manitoba of late as Tom points out. Interesting column.

Conservative majority!

The splits did in opposition, who called this needless election. Can't help but think the NDP won the battle but lost the war as the Conservatives now have their majority. As for the Liberals, this is what arrogance gets you. Mulroney said it best - first they pissed off the West with the NEP, then they pissed off Quebec, and when people got tired of the Bloc, they turned to the NDP.
Looking forward to the new Quebec NDP MP who can't speak French. Lots of joke MPs for the NDP now... I will enjoy the gong show!