AIMS Online March 25, 2004
Wendell Cox on HRM Development Freeze, Saint John as test case for urban reform, Charles Cirtwill asks: Are we getting results we should for our education dollar? and Where entrepreneurs rule-AIMS in Toronto Star.
Orimulsion revulsion: AIMS on NB Power’s Coleson Cove fiasco
Nothing sums up NB Power’s problems better than the Coleson Cove fiasco. In an effort to reduce its dependence on expensive fuel oil, the utility embarked on a $747-million conversion of Coleson Cove to burn Orimulsion. The vast bulk of the money has already been spent. There is just one tiny little catch. There is only one place you can buy Orimulsion: the state oil company of Venezuela. And while it has not always been the case, these days Venezuela is a synonym for “unstable banana republic.” The country teeters on the brink of civil unrest and authoritarian rule by a military strongman. Risky? You bet. Find out just how risky, and the price New Brunswickers paid when the risk went wrong,
AIMS Refutes NB Power Criticisms of Paper
Assertions of “inaccuracies” and “errors” do not stand up under scrutiny
AIMS/ECANS Second Electricity Conference
AIMS and ECANS present an update on how power markets are evolving, what it means for this region - and which region is the “right” one for electricity purposes.
The Atlantica Power Market:A plan for joint action
THE ATLANTICA POWER MARKET: A Plan for Joint Action by Gordon L. Weil argues that the region is primed for the development of a more competitive regional market for electricity. The problem he considers is how to get the provinces and states to operate their power grids to promote the development of this market.
AIMS Sparks Dialogue on Regional Power Grid
Closer U.S. ties would create jobs, provide more choice, and promote prosperity
Get politics out of power
Why do politicians so consistently get electricity policy wrong? Economic truth is often politically unpopular, and politicians have been only too willing to pander to voters' desire for artificially cheap electricity and unjustified massive construction projects today by storing up far worse electricity prices and massive debt for tomorrow. New Brunswick is the latest province to have reached a crisis because there are no more quick fixes. The noose is tightening, but the provincial government and New Brunswick Power seem determined to pretend that the rope is nothing but the latest fashion in neckties.
Troubling Response by NB Power and Minister
Utility still not dealing with substantive issues facing New Brunswickers in power policy
Proposed Restructuring of New Brunswick Power Leaves its Huge Problems Unresolved
Province simply shifting debt from one pocket to another, does nothing to improve grim financial outlook.
Power Trip
In his second paper on NB Power Dr. Tom Tucker says the proposed restructuring of NB Power will do nothing to address the problems of high operating costs and high debts. He says shifting the debt from the corporation to the government does nothing to address the fundamental problems which prevent the corporation from generating sufficient cash to retire debt. Turning the business units of NB Power into separate Crowns is nothing more than symbolism over substance.