Update 1/29/05: Yesterday the Vermont PSB approved the NWRP...to their credit. Nevertheless, there are many conditions including the onerous requirement to bury 1.4 miles of the line in Shelburne. This seems to cause a $3+million cost increase, according to the Burlington Free Press. (note: this link will die in a few days because the BFP, to its great discredit does not permanently archive content for blog links) A question arises about who will pay for this and other increases in project cost emanating from this decision. Why should the rest of New England, paying ~95% of this project's costs, be burdened with what may be 'scenic surcharge?'
The decision is almost certain to be appealed to the Vermont Supreme Court, given the size and contentiousness of the project. I would like to see an accounting of the transaction costs for this project. I'd guess they must have accumulated in the range of 10% of the construction costs and will climb even more before any of this is built.
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If the PSB is true to form it will announce its decision on the Northwest Reliability Project on Friday. Rationality suggests they will approve it. If not, Vermont will signal once more that it is unwilling to balance the needs for a healthy economy and environmental purity.
I would love to see if the same individuals who oppose the NWRP on the basis of alternative energy sources also endorse windmills. Consistency of thinking would suggest the same individuals would endorse both. What if the windmills were in the shallow waters of Lake Champlain as a public power source rather than on ridgelines?
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