On 7/19/04 12:15 AM, "Dave Stack" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> The Skyway News article states: "Crown Hydro's west bank project received a > $5.1 million grant from Xcel's Renewable Energy Fund and, according to the > letter, has spent $1.4 million". I am curious if anyone knows if these > millions of dollars from this Renewable Energy Fund is money that could have > been used for wind and solar projects? If so, then maybe that would be the > wiser use. I think that's certainly possible that the money awarded to Crown Hydro from Xcel's Renewable Development Fund could have gone to wind or solar projects and that they likely would have been more cost-effective. According to Xcel Energy's web site, Crown Hydro was one of eight projects that received funding in 2001. http://www.xcelenergy.com/XLWEB/CDA/0,3080,1-1-1_11824_11838_2716-2239-5_406 _668-0,00.html Of the remaining seven, two were wind and two were solar. The other three were projects to produce methane from various forms of biomass wastes. Interestingly, one of the wind projects was awarded $750,000 to install a 900 kW turbine on a school property. That's a cost to the Renewable Development Fund of about $835 per kilowatt. Compare that to $5.1 million for 3,200 kilowatts. That's nearly $1,600 per kilowatt. Also consider that a total of $9.8 million was awarded for the eight projects, which will combine to generate 12,000 kilowatts of electricity, for an average price of just over $800 per kilowatt. Crown Hydro will use more than half of the total funds awarded during that cycle to produce a little over a quarter of the total electricity. The Crown Hydro project is little more than an overpriced boondoggle. Part of me is kind of glad to learn of this eminent domain approach because it completely obliterates the myth that the folks behind Crown Hydro were simply some nice guys who wanted to do something good for the community. Personally, I think the Renewable Development Fund Advisory Board should rescind the award to Crown Hydro and insist that the $1.4 million already spent (on what?) be returned to the Fund. Mark Snyder Windom Park REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
