PJM members set new record…
August 20th, 2011
A little birdie asked a question about need for Susquehanna-Roseland recently, and got me thinking. This PJM press release came out a while ago and I forgot to post it. It’s a legit PJM press release with an astonishing and crucial and decidedly “against interest” admission:
THEY ARE NOT USING DEMAND RESPONSE TO REDUCE LOAD!!!
Well, that makes business sense, they’re there to sell power, why refrain from selling it if they can! They’re also wanting to build more transmission, which they can’t do if they can’t prove need! And what better way to prove need than having a record peak demand? But we know what they’re doing… How many MW do they have in demand response, DSM, interruptibles, demand reduction by any name? How much lower would the peak demand be if they had used it as they should?
Here’s their press release:
And here’s that telling admission:
Demand response was not called on to reduce load.
Demand response was not called on to reduce load.
Demand response was not called on to reduce load.
Demand response was not called on to reduce load.
Demand response was not called on to reduce load.
Demand response was not called on to reduce load.
Demand response was not called on to reduce load.
Demand response was not called on to reduce load.
Demand response was not called on to reduce load.
Demand response was not called on to reduce load.
… once more with feeling…
Demand response was not called on to reduce load.
How dare they… and then to claim a “RECORD” peak demand…
MAPP transmission delayed… REALLY delayed…
August 19th, 2011
Slowly but surely, Delmarva Power/PEPCO is admitting the Mid-Atlantic Power Pathway (MAPP) isn’t needed. We’ve weathered the weather, and they’re not even utilizing demand response, so where’s the need? They’ve delayed this project, shortened it when they cut out the part through Delaware from Indian River Power Plant to the Salem nuclear plant, delayed and delayed, and now they’re REALLY delaying it, putting it off until at least 2019-2021.
Remember how the sky would fall and we’d be sweltering in the dark on a respirator without a job if this didn’t go through right away? Well, guess again, and again, and again… the system is just fine, we can turn the lights on, we’re OK, and this line still isn’t needed and won’t be, probably ever!
From MAPP’s corporate parent, PEPCO Holdings Inc.:
As the Environmental Coordinator for the Mid-Atlantic Power Pathway (MAPP), I want to provide you with a brief update on the project.
As you may recall, MAPP is a proposed, high-voltage, electric transmission line that Pepco Holdings, Inc. (PHI) plans to build, beginning in northern Virginia, crossing the southern and eastern shores of Maryland, and ending in Delaware.
I want you to know that PHI has notified the Maryland Public Service Commission and Virginia State Corporation Commission that the company is requesting temporary delays in the Commissions’ reviews of the respective applications filed by the utility’s subsidiaries, Pepco and Delmarva Power, for state regulatory approval of MAPP. These requests were filed after PJM Interconnection’s recent analyses indicated that the MAPP in-service date should be moved from 2015 to the 2019-2021 time frame. (PJM is the operator of the regional electric power grid).
However, PJM is also currently evaluating the criteria it uses to determine the need for transmission projects. Once this process is completed, PJM will reassess the need and timeline for transmission expansion in the region.
At this time, PHI will review the work required to support MAPP based on the new in-service date, and will keep you informed on subsequent developments regarding this project.
Please be assured that PHI and PJM are dedicated to maintaining the reliability of this region’s transmission system, and will continue to analyze the need for new transmission projects that provide safe and reliable service for customers.
For additional information about MAPP, please visit the project website at www.powerpathway.com or contact me via phone at 302-283-6115 or e-mail at mark.okonowicz@pepcoholdings.com.
Also, members of our MAPP team would be happy to meet with you in person to discuss the project. Please let me know if you would like to have a meeting scheduled.
Sincerely,
Mark Okonowicz
MAPP – Environmental Coordinator
There a link on the Press Release to a PJM letter:
The MAPP transmission project is needing a DOE EIS because they’re getting DOE funding for it. What’s the status on that? D-E-L-A-Y… delay delay delay…
The MAPP EIS doesn’t seem to be happening… The DOE site says that it was to be released next month, or maybe December, but rumor has it that the DOE is waiting on info from the applicants… delay delay delay… and in the meantime, the DOE is still accepting (sounds like REQUESTING) Comments:
Community and Environmental Defense Services states that: While the Scoping comment period ended April 4, 2011, DOE will continue accepting comments, which should be directed to:
Douglas Boren
Office of NEPA Policy and Compliance (GC–54)
U.S. Department of Energy
1000 Independence Avenue, SW.,
Washington, DC 20585
Douglas.Boren@hq.doe.gov
Fax: 202–586–7031
202–287–5346
Again, contact info if you’d like to send a “Thank You” note of appreciation to Mark Okonowicz and PEPCO for admitting what we’ve all known all along, that this MAPP transmission line is not needed:
302-283-6115
or
mark.okonowicz@pepcoholdings.com
NPS pressured about Susquehanna-Roseland EIS
July 21st, 2011
First, the bad news – the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania has affirmed the Order of the Pennsylvania Public Utilities Commission approving the Susquehanna-Roseland transmission project:
Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania – Affirms Pennsylvania’s S-R Order
And now, on to the pressure… The National Park Service is working to do it’s job as steward of our national park land, in this case, the federally declared Wild and Scenic Delaware River and the Delaware Water Gap.
Seems that some don’t think they should be allowed to do that job, and are pressuring them to “hurry up” so the Susquehanna-Roseland transmission line can steamroll on through. Well, BACK OFF!
Today the pressure on NPS was overt in two venues. First, U.S. Rep. Charlie Dent (R-PA) amends a bill to push the NPS to complete its environmental review one year ahead of schedule. Say what?!?!?!
Then in my inbox a sour grapes press release from FERC Commissioner Phillip Moeller whining because the newly adopted rule won’t do what he wants, it won’t address “problems” like NPS doing its proper review of transmission projects:
Here’s the Susquehanna-Roseland specific part:
“While I offer substantial praise for today’s final rule, the Commission should have taken a different approach to several important issues. We must recognize that all of the nation’s difficulties in building needed transmission will not be resolved by this rule. Rather, this rule largely addresses planning for long-distance transmission lines, which is only a subset of the critical issues that are inhibiting needed investment.
This rule cannot address issues like the delays caused by other federal agencies in the siting of important projects, as this Commission lacks the legal authority to require other federal agencies to act. For example, see the comments of PJM in this proceeding at p. 17, which state that:
[t]he PJM Board approved the Susquehanna-Roseland 500 kV line in 2007. The Susquehanna-Roseland line was approved by the state regulatory commissions in Pennsylvania and New Jersey for 2012. The line is currently delayed by the National Parks Service [sic] and is not expected to be in service until 2014 at the earliest.
Ohhhhhhhh, isn’t it too bad. He’s just one Commissioner, and he’s got to put his dissent out there as an extensive and extended rulemaking proceeding closes… Why is he pushing, why does he care, and why does his care rise to the level that he sends out a dissenting press release? Lighten up, the National Park Service has a job to do. As the testimony in the Susquehanna-Roseland proceeding before the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities reflects, we are NOT going to freeze in the dark in an incubator without a job…
And here’s Pre. Charlie Dent’s whine:
Charlie Dent pushes expedited federal review of Susquehanna-Roseland power line proposal
Published: Thursday, July 21, 2011, 4:30 AM
By Tom Rowan Jr. | The Express-TimesAnd the New Jersey Sierra Club wants Dent, R-Lehigh Valley, to back off.
If it passes through the House, it would be referred to the Senate.
Confirmed: Bulk power transfer to New York
July 1st, 2011
DUH! We all know what the point of the Susquehanna-Roseland transmission is, PSEG! Back during the Susquehanna Roseland hearing, I introduced a FERC filing reflecting the 660MW transfer across the river to New York, that was what, a year and a half ago now?
So how is this Firm Transmission Withdrawal Rights for 685MW and 330 MW is news? The NJ BPU was NOT in the dark about this…
Now where’s that other 670MW… Exhibit 96… it’s in here somewhere… here’s a post from November, 2009:
How far down does electrical demand have to go…
Here’s yesterday’s piece from the New Jersey Spotlight:
Federal Agency OK’s Power Transfer from New Jersey to New York
Deer, moose v. transmission lines
July 1st, 2011
Here’s the recent “eagle drops fawn on transmission line” incident:
Close, but not quite a moose: