03-13-2014, 07:11 AM
Just read the article at the library today and found Boston Pacific's objection to the lack of planning rather baffling: "However, it does not benefit ratepayers if an RFP is conducted without first knowing whether there is a need for the project being solicited."
Helco is not soliciting RFP's about adding additional capacity, in which case BP's objection would make sense. The "need" for the geothermal proposals is to eventually eliminate fossil fuel-dependent power plants from our isolated island. Geothermal is the obvious choice as it does that for what must be the least expensive method possible, having a free, easily available geological heat source rather than burning something some corporation mined or grew for big profits.
As far as objecting to the grid because it offers access to large amounts of electrical power, that reminds me of my old CFO boss in the mid-80's wondering why he would ever need a more powerful computer than his IBM AT. Availability of large amounts of electrical power is both a catalyst and a foundation for much human progress. A large surplus of electricity over the needs of the public could also be usefully put to developing a major source of hydrogen for fuel cells and eventually eliminate fossil fuel for automobiles and other purposes.
Helco is not soliciting RFP's about adding additional capacity, in which case BP's objection would make sense. The "need" for the geothermal proposals is to eventually eliminate fossil fuel-dependent power plants from our isolated island. Geothermal is the obvious choice as it does that for what must be the least expensive method possible, having a free, easily available geological heat source rather than burning something some corporation mined or grew for big profits.
As far as objecting to the grid because it offers access to large amounts of electrical power, that reminds me of my old CFO boss in the mid-80's wondering why he would ever need a more powerful computer than his IBM AT. Availability of large amounts of electrical power is both a catalyst and a foundation for much human progress. A large surplus of electricity over the needs of the public could also be usefully put to developing a major source of hydrogen for fuel cells and eventually eliminate fossil fuel for automobiles and other purposes.