Maine:Electricity rate likely to increase

bangordailynews.com ^ | 12-14-04

[PubliusEXMachina]

I live in Maine, and I can tell you that the concept of having companies compete as providers of elecricity was foolish to begin with. What companies want to come to this over-regulated economy and do business? The answer is ...none. So the cost rises because we have one provider and thats it.

[SheLion]

So the cost rises because we have one provider and thats it.

No competition. So they can do with us as they will. I get sick of it, don't you?

[tj_2004]

Well, New Yorkers make more money, too. You can't compare wages in Maine to New York.

 

Maybe in New York City, but not in Buffalo. Wages are probably similar, plus New York taxes are outragious.

[newsgatherer]

Thank you, it will be the lead in tomorrws update, you're great.

Jake

[1Old Pro]

The one thing that SHOULD be falling is electricity rates.

[MRMEAN]

The reason retail electric power got so expensive in the first place in Maine (and other NE states) is that the power distribution companies, CMP and Bangor Hydro, were forced by the state regulators to buy very high priced Co-Gen/Small Power Producer electricity under long-term contracts, using "avoided cost" estimates based on $100 barrow oil or Seabrook. Mainers had to pay again to buy out contracts, with huge windfall profits going to paper companies, investment banking firms, and other out-of-state and foreign owned firms.

Then the Federal NRC and local activists and politicians had to wage war against the Maine Yankee Atomic Power Plant, and the cowardly owners (the plant was half owned by the Maine power companies, and half owned by other New England power companies) shut down the plant as "uneconomic" on the assumption that natural gas would remain plentiful and cheap forever.

[SheLion]

Thank you, it will be the lead in tomorrws update, you're great.

Super, Jake! Get the word out that Baldy is sticking it to us again!

[SheLion]

The one thing that SHOULD be falling is electricity rates.

Well, do we 'little people' really challenge the Big Wigs in the Maine State House? Parish the thought! (gag!)

[SheLion]

Then the Federal NRC and local activists and politicians had to wage war against the Maine Yankee Atomic Power Plant, and the cowardly owners (the plant was half owned by the Maine power companies, and half owned by other New England power companies) shut down the plant as "uneconomic" on the assumption that natural gas would remain plentiful and cheap forever.

I knew our nuclear plant was closed.

But anyway,  there is only one thing wrong with this:  there is no natural gas pipeline running up this way.  It might be plentiful and cheap, but in northern Maine, we have no pipeline.  Hell, can't even get the Interstate to run this far north. :(

[MrNeutron1962]

"Southern Maine has a nuclear power plant, but they closed it"

Closed, de-fueled and demolished. They dynamited the containment building last fall. Maybe they can fuel their generators with spotted owls, idiots.

[SheLion]

Maybe they can fuel their generators with spotted owls, idiots.

Exactly. Not good for nothing now. Pity.

[brooklin]

Maine's nuke plant is closed and done...

[SheLion]

Maine's nuke plant is closed and done...

I knew it was closed, but didn't know they had torn it all down, as MrNeutron1962 told me.  It's a good, cheap fuel.  Pity.

[brooklin]

Actually it was the cracked cooling pipes in the reactor that caused Maine Yankee to shut down. It wasn't cost effective to repair all the problems. Too bad, because it was a very good plant.

[MRMEAN]

Actually it was the cracked cooling pipes in the reactor that caused Maine Yankee to shut down. It wasn't cost effective to repair all the problems. Too bad, because it was a very good plant.

It was a good plant...but the reason that it "wasn't cost effective to repair..." is that a low value was assigned to its electrical output because of the assumption that cheap natural gas would continue to be available to produce cheap electricity.