posted
So recently the news has been all full of how deregulation has somehow managed to lead to higher costs for energy in California, and somehow caused the energy shortage a few days ago.
Reportedly, CA stations were short some 11,000 Megawatts, causing roaming brownowts and outages as CA's overburdened system struggled to keep up with demand.
That's what they're SAYING, anyway.
Here's some information that may shed new light on the subject, though.
Of the 11,000 Megawatts, 2,000 were due to plants being offline for regularly scheduled maintenance. An easily overcomeable loss.
The other 9,000? The plants that would have produced this energy had been shut down by the government... because they'd produced their quota of carbon dioxide for the year.
CA COULD have 'bought' power from other states' systems, thus allowing the electricity to reach market value, rather than driving the prices up... except the govt. regulations wouldn't let them.
It's a manufactured shortage and a false crisis. They lie.
------------------ "Ed Gruberman, you fail to grasp Ty Kwan Leap. Approach me, that you might see." -- The Master
Charles Capps
We appreciate your concern. It is noted and stupid.
Member # 9
posted
As a California resident, I'm of course irked at all this.
There haven't been rolling blackouts yet during the winter... that was only the summer.
This is directly caused by the simple and obvious fact that, besides the fact that we can't bring in more power from outside, there has not been a new power plant built in California in nearly ten years.
This is particularly an issue here in Moron Hell. Calpine, who already has a cogenerator in Gilroy (part garlic/onion/whatever processing plant, part power generator), wants to put another faccility in south San Jose, around where I used to live. People are pushing for it, as it would help a good deal locally to help ease power concerns, but there's the whole issue about it being less than a mile from suburbia... the locals there don't want to see it there (nor do they want Cisco to move into a building that would be effectivley accross the street, despite that it's in the same green belt that is preventing Moron Hell from putting in the desperately needed second high school...).
Anyway.
This whole thing sucks. I'm moving to Canada.
------------------ "Uh, Cody, what has the Mullah of Cappistan been smoking?" "MILKSHAKES. I HAVE BEEN SMOKING MILKSHAKES!"
[This message has been edited by Charles Capps (edited January 05, 2001).]
posted
It also may have something to do with the fact that there hasn't been a new power plant built in CA since it's population was half what it is now.
*edit*
Darnit, Capps, you posted while I was typing! Stop that!
*/edit*
I wonder if any of these scheduled brownouts take place in Beverly Hills...
------------------ "Still one thing more fellow-citizens--A wise and frugal Government, which shall restrain men from injuring one another, shall leave them otherwise free to regulate their own pursuits of industry and improvement, and shall not take from the mouth of labor the bread it has earned. This is the sum of good government..." -Thomas Jefferson
[This message has been edited by Omega (edited January 05, 2001).]
------------------ Oh, yes, sitting. The great leveler. From the mightiest Pharaoh to the lowliest peasant, who doesn't enjoy a good sit? ~C. Montgomery Burns
posted
Hehe... I bet Los Angeles has a population greater than the entirety of southern New Brunswick, and we have 4 power plants for the area! One nuclear power plant, two fossil fuel plants, and a hydro dam.
------------------ "What happens on the edges of infinity, the never-never land of mathematics?" -Miss Hodgin
posted
And I bet southern New Brunswick is selling copious amounts of that power and making a bundle in the process.
Much like the deregulated power in California being purchased by the highest bidder. That could never drive prices up. Nooo, not that. It's certainly not the only factor on the table, but it is one.
------------------ Oh, yes, sitting. The great leveler. From the mightiest Pharaoh to the lowliest peasant, who doesn't enjoy a good sit? ~C. Montgomery Burns
posted
As a Los Angeles County resident, I'm somewhat confused. From what I understand, the DWP (Department of Water and Power) provides the power to the county, not Edison. And yet, DWP is being ordered to cut back power consumption along with the rest of the state. Does that mean LA has an independent power grid?
------------------ "Oh for fuck's sake, stop your moaning, If you fancy a threesome at this time of night, you can't get start getting choosey about which particular three! -Queer As Folk, UK
posted
The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (DWP) is not part of the deregulated state energy market and is owned and operated by the city of Los Angeles. It still owns it's own power plants and is not suffering the same shortages as the other energy companies (SoCal Edison and PG&E).
In fact, the DWP is selling some of it's power on the statewide market and was exempt from the energy commission ruling last week granting the other energy companies a rate hike.
I think that the DWP is just encouraging it's users to think about power wisely.
------------------ Oh, yes, sitting. The great leveler. From the mightiest Pharaoh to the lowliest peasant, who doesn't enjoy a good sit? ~C. Montgomery Burns
posted
If the plants had not been subject to the (inflated) CO2 regulation, they would have stayed open, the demand for power would have been much lower, thusly the price, deregulated or not, would have been far lower as well.
+supply & steady demand = lower prices. steady supply and steady demand = steady prices. -supply & steady demand = higher prices. -supply & +demand = MUCH higher prices = the situation in CA
Analogy follows:
When the government says "We're not going to regulate how much you sell corn for, but we ARE going to limit the supply you have," of COURSE corn prices go up. BUT... When you can grow AND sell as much corn as you can, corn ends up finding its 'fair market price' because of the higher supply.
------------------ "Ed Gruberman, you fail to grasp Ty Kwan Leap. Approach me, that you might see." -- The Master
posted
Did you read any off the stuff I linked to?
------------------ Oh, yes, sitting. The great leveler. From the mightiest Pharaoh to the lowliest peasant, who doesn't enjoy a good sit? ~C. Montgomery Burns
Saltah'na
Chinese Canadian, or 75% Commie Bastard.
Member # 33
posted
So you're moving to Canada Charles?
Come to Toronto!!! We'll hook up together and visit some stri..... ahhh.... err.... we'll go shopping at the Eaton Centre together!
I hear that this is all part of an excuse to say that the CO2 limits imposed by the government are hampering the ability to generate electricity. They simply want the government to repeal those limits so they can use whatever coal fired/natural gas/wood burning generators to the own zeal.
------------------ "My Name is Elmer Fudd, Millionaire. I own a Mansion and a Yacht." Psychiatrist: "Again."
[This message has been edited by Tahna Los (edited January 08, 2001).]
posted
Pah, Ontario Charles, move to a real province...B.C. *L* (Vancouver hopefully, but the Americans I've seen who come to B.C. have an odd fascination with Victoria instead)
[This message has been edited by Coddman (edited January 08, 2001).]
posted
Or move to England. Where we can great you, dine with you, tie you down, and shave that bloody beard off. Sheesh.
------------------ "And Mojo was hurt and I would have kissed his little boo boo but then I realized he was a BAD monkey so I KICKED HIM IN HIS FACE!" -Bubbles
posted
Jay: I read it. Not exactly balanced coverage, but hey, it WAS the Governor's speech.
I liked how he couched heavy-handed Marxism (the threat to 'nationalize' the power companies) as concern for the residents. Cute, that was.
Again, No mention of the fact that a large part of the shortage was caused by CA's own CO2 emission regulations forcing the shutdown of several plants, but you'll never hear that from a Demoncratic governor.
------------------ "Ed Gruberman, you fail to grasp Ty Kwan Leap. Approach me, that you might see." -- The Master
Printer-friendly view of this topic
