Methinks that CBC should not had posted my comment then blocked it afterwards N'esy Pas?

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From: NBEUB/CESPNB <General@nbeub.ca>
Date: Tue, 15 May 2018 12:37:44 +0000
Subject: RE: Methinks that CBC should not had posted my comment then
it blocked afterwards N'esy Pas?
To: David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com>

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 ---------- Original message ----------
From: Brian Gallant <briangallant10@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 15 May 2018 05:32:54 -0700
Subject: Merci / Thank you Re: Methinks that CBC should not had posted my comment 
then it blocked afterwards N'esy Pas?To: motomaniac333@gmail.com

(Français à suivre)

If your email is pertaining to the Government of New Brunswick, please
email me at brian.gallant@gnb.ca

If your matter is urgent, please email Greg Byrne at greg.byrne@gnb.ca

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‎svp m'envoyez un courriel à brian.gallant@gnb.ca

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---------- Original message ----------
From: Angela Vitulli <avitulli@indecon.com>
Date: Tue, 15 May 2018 12:32:56 +0000
Subject: Automatic reply: Methinks that CBC should not had posted my comment then it 
blocked afterwards N'esy Pas?To: David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com>

I am out of the office, and out of the country, through May 20th. I
will check email daily. For urgent matters, text me at 617 306 3529.
Note I'm 7 hours ahead of Eastern time.

Angela


---------- Original message ----------
From: David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com>Date: Tue, 15 May 2018 08:32:51 -0400
Subject: Methinks that CBC should not had posted my comment then it blocked 
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http://davidraymondamos3.blogspot.ca/2018/05/methinks-that-cbc-should-not-had-posted.html

Tuesday, 15 May 2018

Methinks that CBC should not had posted my comment then it blocked
afterwards N'esy Pas?

 https://twitter.com/DavidRayAmos/with_replies


  David Raymond Amos‏ @DavidRayAmos

Replying to @DavidRayAmos @FloryGoncalves and 49 others

Methinks that CBC should not had posted my comment then it blocked afterwards Everybody knows that I blog and Tweet the same stuff at the same time N'esy Pas? http://davidraymondamos3.blogspot.ca/2018/05/methinks-that-cbc-should-not-had-posted.html #nbpoli #cdnpoli

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/eub-nb-power-rate-hearing-smart-meters-1.4663109

Don't hold your breath on the outcome of NB Power's rate hearing

9-figure smart meter plan also hangs in the balance

Robert Jones · CBC News · Posted: May 15, 2018 5:30 AM AT

 

  21 Comments 

Commenting is now closed for this story.

 

Content disabled.

David Amos

For the benefit of Mr Jones and the English speaking folks who read this comment section here is a translation of my friend Dr Roger Richard's final argument against Smart Meters etc. because the NBEUB did not bother to translate it for us.

DR. RICHARD:

Mr. Vice-President and members of the New Brunswick Energy and Utilities Board.

New Brunswick is on the brink of a financial meltdown.

New Brunswick is on the brink of an environmental abyss.

Ms. France Daigle, one of our local authors, wrote recently: « …There is surely a long time that something is not right. »

All of us here and our fellow New Brunswickers are at risk of losing freedoms that have always been taken for granted. In particular, our freedom to govern ourselves.

Of course, our production and consumption of electricity was essential yesterday, today and tomorrow. Our freedom to manage them goes without question.

NB Power’s Board of Directors.

The NB Power’s Board includes eleven members and five of it’s members are not New Brunswickers. How can they understand our reality?

Four of these five members are Americans. Do we produce electricity for Americans?

The decision-making power of these five members is immense and very disturbing.

A few Past Decisions.

The history of our production and use of electricity is important to guide our future decisions.

Content disabled.
David Amos

@David Amos
For example, the Pointe-Lepreau nuclear power plant is a good example of a mistake of the past. It is interesting to note that the Commission had suggested not to renovate it after studying the issue
in depth. Against all expectations Mr. Lord, Prime Minister at the time, exercise his right of veto and overturn the decision! Now we and future generations are responsible not only for huge debt but also
for a very expensive plant to operate and an industry that is very dangerous for the environment.

Stopping maintenance of branches around power lines. I guess this decision was made to save money. But this causes more damage to the lines when there is a storm. Electricity rates have not stopped rising since then. Where is the economy of money going?

To spread herbicides under high voltage lines for vegetation control. Glyphosate is very dangerous to humans, flora and fauna contrary to what Health Canada says. Again, where is the economy going?

The replacement of street lights for a new technology that produces a blue light and uses less electricity. Did you know that this blue light disturbs the circadian rhythm of human sleep and wildlife? It is well documented. But where is the economy? According to reports submitted by municipalities, the costs for users are still exorbitant.

The entrance of high-voltage lines in cities through residential areas. Why is NB Power asking residents if they agree when it has long been recognized that it is dangerous? Solutions exist. For instance, a system that uses direct current is less dangerous and the technology to use it already exists.

Content disabled.
David Amos

@David Amos

In 2013, there were 739 NB Power employees with more than $100,000 a year. This represent about half of all government employees who have such a salary. A person who makes more than $100,000 a yearwill have difficulty understanding the reality of people living at the poverty line. Yesterday, May 9, page 8, L'Acadie Nouvelle mentioned that people who live precariously represent about 30% of the
population in the Chaleur region. This is our reality.

By continuing to spend more and more, more and more of our citizens will be in this desperate situation.

New requests.

The problem is our long-term vision that is financially unsustainable and has disastrous environmental consequences.

Experts were retained by stakeholders to conduct a financial analysis of NB Power. They have not discovered anything unusual and these financial statements are consistent with the long-term plans.
They therefore recommend the adoption of financial reports as well as the rates applied for. At least, on the surface, everything is correct…

The demand to impose the smart meters on us does not respect our financial reality. Also, it does not respect our concerns about the effects on the environment. Dr. Héroux explained very well why Health
Canada is wrong with it’s Code 6 and it’s claim that there are no health problems. Why does NB Power had no questions for Dr. Héroux? He is one of the greatest experts in the field. Too bad he has not been considered as such here.

Content disabled.
David Amos

@David Amos

Women of childbearing age, children and the elderly are most at risk when they are exposed to radiation from the smart meters and the different devices required for their operation. NB Power's expertise in the field render them more responsible for damages to the citizens and it’s employees. Dr. Heroux told us that big insurance companies refuse to insure power companies for these risks. Who will pay for the damage?

With the smart meters, 48 meter reading people, with a salary of $647,045 each, will be eliminated. Do we have a salary problem?

NB Power is asking that the smart meters be implemented according to a model where the population will have to opt out. This is a form of under pressure selling, decried for years by consumer protection
agencies.

The Mactaquac hydroelectric plant is considered for renovation. This is another gigantic 1960’s project. It's a time when people thought the bigger it gets the better it is. But at what environmental cost and at what financial cost? Let's not repeat the mistakes of the past by renovating this dam. Not only are there too many factors to consider in such projects, but there are too many risks that can not be predicted. As with the nuclear power plant, we will create another big debt that we will
bequeath to our children.

The decision to reduce the rate of increase in electricity this year because we received funds unexpectedly is not a good idea. We are simply shifting our responsibility for the nuclear plant's debt to
future generations. This is only a timely political decision to help re-elect the Liberal Party.

Content disabled.
David Amos

@David Amos

Billing rates for electricity are increasing every year because our long-term vision is outdated and needs to be reviewed to reflect our new reality. Anyway, for this year it is not necessary to increase rates because we are already in the range required by law.

If I gave to my children, when they were young, all they asked me I would be bankrupt long ago.

Vision of the future.

Our distressing situation is not caused by a particular event or people in particular but by a lack of reflections from us all.

First, our long-term planning for the production and use of electricity needs to be reviewed. In particular, what needs to change in our long-term vision is our expectation to produce 100% of our
electricity. If we decrease this expectation, we will greatly reduce the constraints on the system. I think Mr. Rouse has tried to explain to us that way of thinking that is more reasonable.

We can easily buy the extra power needed during the months of January and February from our neighbours in Quebec or Newfoundland and Labrador. Often, electricity can be purchased at a similar price or less than what we can be produced. Especially since a growing part of the population is trying to quietly become self-sufficient in electricity. So why do we persist in trying to produce as much electricity?

It must be remembered that the decision to bill variably during the day to move electricity demand peaks during the winter is not yet approved by the Commission. Before approving it, we must realize that if we change our old view of thinking it becomes obvious that these variable rates are not necessary.

Content disabled.
David Amos

@David Amos

We just have to accept that we do not have the financial means nor the natural resources to produce 100% of our electricity need all the time. But we have other choices. We can buy the extra from our neighbours and we must also recognized that people are slowly in the process of changing their habits on their own. Therefore the risk of having to build a new plant in 2027 should not be taken into account account in this decision to approve or not the variable rates as well as the smart meters.

For the other 10 months of each year, we produce too much electricity or we have underutilize production infrastructures. Surplus electricity is sold at a discount. Who benefits from this? Americans
are lucky to have cheap electricity during the summer. Is there a relationship between this situation and our four Americans who sit on the board?

Second, environmental imponderables need to be more important than other factors in our decision-making process. Until now, this is not the case.

Third, the population also has financial difficulties. If the smart meters are accepted, very few people can afford to refuse it even if they know it's dangerous for health. For many people, $60 more a
month is too much of a financial burden.

Fourthly, ways must be found to prevent the interference of political parties in Commission decisions.

Fifth, salaries of more than $100,000 a year should not exist given our financial and environmental situation. Why does NB Power do not understands this reasoning? At some point, you have to pay your debtand NB Power has a lot of debt.

 Content disabled.
David Amos 

@David Amos

Before closing, as I said in my intervener's evidence, Mr. Amos is my witness for the financial and political corruptions. He is also my mentor.

I thank the other speakers who opposed the smart meters. There are so many reasons to be worried about these devices.

Thank you all for tolerating us. I particularly thank the Vice-President for having the presence of mind to give me a little time to take hold of myself on February 7 at the very beginning of the hearing. These few minutes were enough for Mr. Amos to have the time to propose a solution.

So I have the following motion: That we cancel the 375 proceeding and redo the 10-year vision plan and the 20-year vision plan. So they will reflect our current economic and environmental reality, not the
50s and 60s.

Thank you.

VICE-CHAIRMAN: Thank you, Dr. Richard, for your final argument and then just to let you know that we will consider your arguments in our deliberations.

David Amos

Methinks that CBC should not had posted my comment then blocked afterwards N'esy Pas?

Alexandre Hilton

@David Amos probably because you post the same useless drivel in every NB Power article. We get it, you petitioned the board and no one listened to you. Move on with your life. If you haven't realized yet that NB Power doesn't care about the little guy and only cares about stuffing its ranks with political appointees, I don't know what else to say to you.

Sometimes, ignorance is bliss. Adopt a more nihilistic approach, it'll be better for your health, because I guarantee you NB Power won't be changing their ways because David Amos has a blog.

David Amos

@Alexandre Hilton Methinks you get the governments you deserve N'esy Pas?

David Amos

@David Amos Methinks nihilistic young people don't care but some old folks may wish to read the English translation of Dr Roger Richard's final argument in the blg you lament about. He talks about a lot more than merely smart meters N'esy Pas Mr Jones?

Alexandre Hilton

@David Amos We live in a bilingual province. It's not my fault you haven't learned to read both official languages, n'est-ce pas? Don't confuse my nihilism with complacency, Gandalf. I'm only cynical because I'm convinced things will not change, no matter how many young people I persuade to take part in the democratic process. I am disenchanted, that's all. And for good reason! I either get to vote for the Red Irving party or the Blue Irving party. How could I not be ambivalent?

Even if Kris Austin were to get elected tomorrow morning - he'd simply cave in to the special interests within a week.

We aren't in the 60s anymore. no matter how many people protest - American boots will be on the ground in Syria if a certain country wills it, catch my drift?

David Amos

@Alexandre Hilton Methinks you and your political hero Mr Austin have not the first clue about my lawsuit N'esy Pas?

David Amos 

@Alexandre Hilton Methinks nihilistic young people who ignore their Twitter account are no doubt ambivalent towards Deja Vu too but some old folks they opt to insult rather relish it N'esy Pas?

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/nb-power-energy-and-utilities-board-1.4606382

NB Power cuts proposed rate hike to 1.5% after Point Lepreau settlement

20 Comments

Bernard Cormier
It is easier to pay the few dollars a month more than to be upset about it. Negative frame of mind will just wear you out.

David Amos
@Bernard Cormier Methinks that may be one of the reasons why Harper called Maritimers defeatists a long time ago N'esy Pas?

Alexandre Hilton
@Bernard Cormier The absolute state of Capitalism. Ignorance truly is bliss.

  

Shawn McShane

Cancel the $100 Million + to buy and install smart meters, it sounds stupid when they say smart meters are needed to avoid building new generators. The population has been shrinking, people are using less electricity, that is why they want to bill you per second and at different rates. Point Lepreau powers more than 333,000 homes per year 660 MW. Hydroelectric dams in the province have a combined generating capacity of 889 MW. NB Power operates 13 generating stations with a total installed capacity of 3,513 MW.

Put money aside to rehabilitate the Mactaquac dam (668 MW)

David Amos

@Shawn McShane Methinks its too bad CBC deleted the English translation Dr Roger Richard's final argument Lots of folks may have enjoyed it N'esy Pas?

 

Rosco holt

Time to get rid of yesman Thomas and the rest of the high paid incompetent execs, we would save a bundle.

FDavid Amos

@Rosco holt YUP

  
Paul Bourgoin

Establish uniform permanent electricity rates that are identical for every commercial, Industrial customer, then set uniform rates for household electricity. No behind closed doors SWEAT HEART DEALS where the province looses money that we don't have. New Brunswick is in a financial hole!!

David Amos 

@Paul Bourgoin Methinks its kinda interesting that NB Power's largest customer, J.D. Irving Ltd.has no problem with NB Power's Large Industrial Renewable Energy Purchase Program which was unveiled by the Alward government in 2011.

Yet its lawyer has the nerve to say this in rder to appear to some sot to hero "These increases in costs cannot — and we would submit as the regulator supervising this utility, you should not allow to continue. The utility must learn to live within its means."

Mr Jones must remember this N'esy Pas??

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/nb-power-first-full-rate-hearing-gets-questions-about-big-paper-mills-1.3114844

NB Power first full rate hearing gets questions about big paper mills
The utility has applied for a two per cent rate hike beginning on July 1
Robert Jones · CBC News · Posted: Jun 15, 2015 9:43 PM AT

Multi million dollar subsidies NB Power is forced to provide the province's big paper mills took centre stage at the utility's rate hearing Monday with a retired NB Power engineer criticizing the practice as thinly veiled corporate welfare.

"I'd like to understand the program and I would like all the documentation that's available on the program that will explain it to people," said Gregory Hickey as he questioned a panel of NB Power executives about the practice of buying renewable energy from paper mills and reselling it back to them at a substantial loss.

"I think the people of this province deserve to know,"


 
Fred Brewer

Unfortunately the EUB is too weak. A prime example is that almost 3 decades ago the EUB starting demanding that power rates be matched to cost of service for the three major groups; industrial, commercial and residential. The simple fact that NB Power has not yet managed to do this despite almost 3 decades of promises shows that NB Power can ignore the EUB and the EUB does nothing about it.

David Amos

@Fred Brewer Methinks it was called the PUB back then. Remember when the PUB recommended not to refurbish Lepreau Then Bernie Lord decided to so all by himself. The awful truth is these fancy boards have no power at all. (There is another watching the securities business and another watching the insurance industry and another about real estate etc etc) They are just fancy window dressing in order to make us think somebody ethical is watching out for our interests N'esy Pas?

Fred Brewer

@David Amos
Yes, the name has changed over the years but regardless of the name they are unwilling to stand up to NBP and refuse rate increases until they do as they were told 3 decades ago. Shameful.

  

Roland Godin

Still trying to understand why, for generations, we insist proudly to elect the best to mismange public policies, administration, resources and finances...et voilà.

David Amos

@Roland Godin Methinks plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose N'esy Pas?

 

Gerard Arsenault

if the rates go up i will not pay my bill . they will shut it off when it gets two months late i am sure my sleeping habits will change to when the sun goes down i will go to bed when the sun comes up i will be up . cook by propane and if every one did this where would the power companies do then

David Amos

@Gerard Arsenault Methinks they will still be supported by your taxes while they sell the power to Yankees N'esy Pas?

Don't hold your breath on the outcome of NB Power's rate hearing

9-figure smart meter plan also hangs in the balance

Robert Jones · CBC News · Posted: May 15, 2018 5:30 AM AT

It could be weeks for the outcome of NB Power's extended rate hearing is known. (CBC)

It could be a number of weeks yet before NB Power finds out whether it can raise power rates to customers and use some of that money to invest heavily in smart meters, according to the vice-chairman of New Brunswick's Energy and Utilities Board.

"There is a volume of documents that this panel needs to review. There is a large volume of transcripts," said Francois Beaulieu as he declared NB Power's marathon rate hearing finished late last week.

• NB Power's 3 years of poor financial results under scrutiny

• Rate hearing delays prove costly for NB Power

"It may take a month or two. I can't say how long it is going to take, but it is going to take some time. We will make every possible effort to have a decision as fast as we can."

EUB vice-Chairman Francois Beaulieu, centre, said it could be a month or two before the board has its answer. (Robert Jones/CBC NEWS)

The EUB heard final arguments in the rate case last Thursday, 92 days after opening statements were first heard in early February for what was supposed to be an 18-day hearing.

The two big issues to be decided by the board are whether NB Power should be allowed to spend more than $100 million to deploy smart meters to its entire customer base and whether a requested 1.5 per cent rate increase it has applied for is justified.

Smart meter criticism

Smart meters are capable of transmitting individual customer consumption data back to NB Power in real time, which the utility said will allow for a number of innovations in pricing and service and help it nudge customers to shift their peak electrical demand enough to avoid building new generators.

• 'Behavioural science' will shape customer reaction to NB Power's smart meters

• NB Power's smart meter plan labelled a 'money loser' during EUB grilling

Participants in the hearing were split on that and other issues.
In its closing argument, NB Power's largest customer, J.D. Irving Ltd. urged the board to kill the smart meter investment and use whatever money that saves to reduce the rate increase.

The plan to spend more than $100 million to deploy smart meters is seen by some as unwise. (Robert Jones/CBC)

"Spending at the utility continues to rise and rise and rise in the context where their sales are flat and their out-of-province sales are falling," said J.D. Irving lawyer Christopher Stewart.

"These increases in costs cannot — and we would submit as the regulator supervising this utility, you should not allow to continue. The utility must learn to live within its means."

Debt problems

But others worried NB Power's debt level is dangerously high and urged the EUB to allow the rate hike in full — even if the board ultimately rejects the smart meter plan or other proposed projects.

The province's three municipal utilities and public intervener Heather Black both argued NB Power needs to get its debt down quickly before major spending is required to rehabilitate the Mactaquac dam.

Heather Black, the public intervener, argued NB Power need to reduce its debt fast. (Robert Jones/CBC NEWS)

"Setting rates too high is unfair to ratepayers. I think we all understand that," said Black.

"But setting rates too low is also unfair to ratepayers, because they will be subject to suddenly higher rates if NB Power doesn't earn sufficient revenue to have the available equity ready when it is needed for upcoming capital investment."

• Opting out smart meter program could cost NB Power customers

• Municipal utilities try to block power-rate relief for overcharged NB Power customers

Also making a final argument was anti-smart meter activist Roger Richard who reiterated his opposition to installing the devices province wide based on concern about the health effects of radio frequencies they emit.    Independent intervenor Chris Rouse also spoke and opposed any rate increase for the utility suggesting a more efficient use of electrical generation resources could be used to lower costs instead.

Beaulieu said the EUB would try and reach decisions as quickly as possible

"I can reassure (NB Power) that — even though some of the issues are complex, you will have our undivided attention for the next several weeks."

About the Author

Robert Jones

Reporter

Robert Jones has been a reporter and producer with CBC New Brunswick since 1990. His investigative reports on petroleum pricing in New Brunswick won several regional and national awards and led to the adoption of price regulation in 2006.