At the last Select Board Meeting I asked for the Electric Commission's report on the Solar Energy Proposal. I was pleased to receive a call from Lee Nichols the next day. Lee explained that the commission did not do a formal analysis of the proposal, but the decision was based on the new contract which will take effect in January, 2012. Lee can explain this better than I can, but the contract will hold the rate at the 2010 level if we use the same amount of electricity. We are contracted to purchase 100% of our electricity for the first three years of the contract and 80% for second three years. Lee said the commission's decision was also based on the fact that the solar project would provide energy only during peak load hours. The proposal did not include a battery back up system. A battery back up system could have been added, but he said the cost of the system would have raised the rate to or above what we would be paying under the new contract. Right now the commission is looking to hydro power from the four dams in town to help us meet future "green energy" requirements. However, the commission will look at solar energy again in 2013.
How we deal with providing electricity to the town in the future is a major concern. We have to move toward using more sustainable energy sources while meeting our energy needs at an affordable cost. It is likely that our future needs will have to be met with a combination of fossil fuel, hydroelectric, wind, and solar power. We need to start preparing for the future by studying the options, planning, and putting ourselves in a better financial position to invest in sustainable energy.
This is a lame excuse, why not build the solor system and sell the power? Currant contract should only play a small part in this, we would not necessarly have to use the power ourselves. By the time the Electric Department looks at this again in a few years the money we could have recieved to build this will be gone. Cudos to the electric department for doing such a good job looking into this and thinking about clean power in the future for Ashland!!
ReplyDeleteA good point. The solar project that was proposed takes advantage of tax credits that are only available until the end of the year. The town cannot take advantage of tax credits directly, but the project was proposed by a private company that would have been able to sell electricity for lower rates than we pay now. We would have had to agree to purchase power for 10 years after which we could have purchased the array.
ReplyDeleteIt is also true that the electric commissioners did not do an in-depth evaluation of the project. They based their decision on the upcoming contract and the fact that the solar arrays can only produce electricity during peak load hours.
The new contract will keep rates at the same level we now pay. A key question that remains unanswered is, what rate is the Electric Department paying?
you will never know what rate the Electric Department is paying because no one can figure out the budget which has been kept a secret for years. If you get one, it will not be a direct answer to your question, just a run around one to make you feel good till you get home and realize it was never really answered.
ReplyDeleteWe are hoping that the Budget Committee will make the cost the Electric Department is paying under the new contract public. We are also hoping that we get an accounting of the North Ashland Road project which is yet to be completed. Finally, we hope to see a long term plan for capital improvement. We recommend that residents also request this information.
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