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David Raymond Amos @DavidRayAmos
Replying to @DavidRayAmos@Kathryn98967631 and 49 others
Methinks Minister Mikey and all the other dudes he is talking to know NB Power gives an annual report to the Lt Governor every year Anyone can read it N'esy Pas?
https://davidraymondamos3.blogspot.com/2020/01/more-transparency-needed-at-nb-power-to.html
#nbpoli#cdnpoli
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/nb-power-political-panel-1.5430129
CBC News· Posted: Jan 16, 2020 7:35 PM AT
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NB Power CEO Gaëtan Thomas posed with Joi Scientific executives Robert Koeneman and Traver Kennedy on a beach in Cape Canaveral, Florida. The utility has a multi-million-dollar licensing agreement with Joi Scientific. (Joi Scientific)
Listen to the full CBC New Brunswick Political Panel podcast by downloading from the CBC Podcast page or subscribing to the podcast in iTunes.
Improving transparency at NB Power was one of the highlights of this week's political panel, which included a wide ranging discussion on the crown corporation.
This comes after some controversial moves by the public utility, including the decision to invest in Joi Scientific.
The corporation poured $6.5 million into the Florida-based company, which claimed it had the technology to generate hydrogen gas from seawater to generate electricity on demand.
But it turned out the company hadn't perfected the technology on a large scale, putting the viability of the project in doubt.
NB Power does have to report some of the projects it funds to the Energy and Utilities board, but only if it exceeds a $50 million threshold.
Green Party leader David Coon said he doesn't think NB Power has enough oversight to avoid another Joi Scientific fiasco.
"What we've got to do is improve and strengthen the Electricity Act that guides NB Power and improve and strengthen the Energy Utility Support Act that guides the EUB," said Coon
Energy Minister Mike Holland said the $50 million threshold needs to be addressed to make the public utility more accountable, but warns that lowering it too far could have negative consequences.
Natural Resources and Energy Minister Mike Holland says he'd would like to see more oversight of NB Power, which has come under criticism for investing millions in an unproven technology. On the Political Panel this week, Holland, Liberal MLA Benoît Bourque, Green Party Leader and MLA David Coon and People's Alliance MLA Rick DeSaulniers debate a variety of issues related to NB Power. 35:19
"If we put them down to saying that they couldn't spend any more than $2 million without EUB approval, that would be a set of handcuffs that would make it very difficult," said Holland.
But Holland said he'd like borrow a private sector tactic to make NB Power more transparent, holding annual general meetings.
"So I'm trying to look at it, almost from like a private sector component, where the utility is accountable to the shareholder, with some form of a presentation similar to that."
Liberal MLA Benoit Bourque said there needs to be a higher degree of accountability and transparency, but even that won't completely erase the possibility of another Joi Scientific-style controversy.
"There's always an element of risk ... there is never a 100 per cent guarantee when it comes to these things," said Bourque.
36 Comments
David Raymond Amos
Methinks there was somevery interesting things missing from this news item about NB Power N'esy Pas?
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/nb-power-catch-22-1.5428720
David Raymond Amos
Methinks folks who truly care should go to the EUB hearings and witness the circus for themselves I have never seen any of these big talkers attend any since I began intervening i 2017 Perhaps somebody should ask them how they have come to know so much N'esy Pas?
David Raymond Amos
"Energy Minister Mike Holland said the $50 million threshold needs to be addressed to make the public utility more accountable, but warns that lowering it too far could have negative consequences."
Yea Right and who is gonna hold the EUB and KPMG accountable?
Ben Haroldson
Reply to @David Raymond Amos: The least you think he could do was get them a new picture. Same old lampshade boys.
David Raymond Amos
Joe Rootliek
Does NB Power have the mandate to put millions in to energy projects that may or may not pan out?
Or do they just have the mandate to deliver electricity, make profit perhaps ( or break even to keep power bills low as in the 80s), and maintain their system.
What direction does the government want it to be in? I thought they were exposed to deliver power, keep bills as low as possible, not to reinvent the wheel. The latter is for private organizations.
David Raymond Amos
David Raymond Amos @DavidRayAmos
Replying to @DavidRayAmos@Kathryn98967631 and 49 others
Methinks Minister Mikey and all the other dudes he is talking to know NB Power gives an annual report to the Lt Governor every year Anyone can read it N'esy Pas?
https://davidraymondamos3.blogspot.com/2020/01/more-transparency-needed-at-nb-power-to.html
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/nb-power-political-panel-1.5430129
More transparency needed at NB Power to avoid Joi Scientific repeat, says political panel
Energy minister says balance needs to be struck between transparency and operational effectiveness
CBC News· Posted: Jan 16, 2020 7:35 PM AT
NB Power CEO Gaëtan Thomas posed with Joi Scientific executives Robert Koeneman and Traver Kennedy on a beach in Cape Canaveral, Florida. The utility has a multi-million-dollar licensing agreement with Joi Scientific. (Joi Scientific)
Listen to the full CBC New Brunswick Political Panel podcast by downloading from the CBC Podcast page or subscribing to the podcast in iTunes.
Improving transparency at NB Power was one of the highlights of this week's political panel, which included a wide ranging discussion on the crown corporation.
This comes after some controversial moves by the public utility, including the decision to invest in Joi Scientific.
The corporation poured $6.5 million into the Florida-based company, which claimed it had the technology to generate hydrogen gas from seawater to generate electricity on demand.
But it turned out the company hadn't perfected the technology on a large scale, putting the viability of the project in doubt.
Green Party leader David Coon said he doesn't think NB Power has enough oversight to avoid another Joi Scientific fiasco.
"What we've got to do is improve and strengthen the Electricity Act that guides NB Power and improve and strengthen the Energy Utility Support Act that guides the EUB," said Coon
Energy Minister Mike Holland said the $50 million threshold needs to be addressed to make the public utility more accountable, but warns that lowering it too far could have negative consequences.
The Political Panel from CBC News New Brunswick
Jan. 16: Energy minister wants more oversight of NB Power
"If we put them down to saying that they couldn't spend any more than $2 million without EUB approval, that would be a set of handcuffs that would make it very difficult," said Holland.
But Holland said he'd like borrow a private sector tactic to make NB Power more transparent, holding annual general meetings.
"So I'm trying to look at it, almost from like a private sector component, where the utility is accountable to the shareholder, with some form of a presentation similar to that."
Liberal MLA Benoit Bourque said there needs to be a higher degree of accountability and transparency, but even that won't completely erase the possibility of another Joi Scientific-style controversy.
"There's always an element of risk ... there is never a 100 per cent guarantee when it comes to these things," said Bourque.
36 Comments
David Raymond Amos
Methinks there was somevery interesting things missing from this news item about NB Power N'esy Pas?
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/nb-power-catch-22-1.5428720
David Raymond Amos
Methinks folks who truly care should go to the EUB hearings and witness the circus for themselves I have never seen any of these big talkers attend any since I began intervening i 2017 Perhaps somebody should ask them how they have come to know so much N'esy Pas?
David Raymond Amos
"Energy Minister Mike Holland said the $50 million threshold needs to be addressed to make the public utility more accountable, but warns that lowering it too far could have negative consequences."
Yea Right and who is gonna hold the EUB and KPMG accountable?
Ben Haroldson
Reply to @David Raymond Amos: The least you think he could do was get them a new picture. Same old lampshade boys.
David Raymond Amos
Reply to @Ben Haroldson: I have argued these politicians many times over the years while everybody laughed at me. Now its my turn to laugh
Joe Rootliek
Does NB Power have the mandate to put millions in to energy projects that may or may not pan out?
Or do they just have the mandate to deliver electricity, make profit perhaps ( or break even to keep power bills low as in the 80s), and maintain their system.
What direction does the government want it to be in? I thought they were exposed to deliver power, keep bills as low as possible, not to reinvent the wheel. The latter is for private organizations.
David Raymond Amos
Reply to @Joe Rootliek: Better yet whats Holland's mandate?
Joe Rootliek
Reply to @David Raymond Amos: If I was energy minister, I would want my utility to just provide power to its citizens in a safe manner, ensure reliability ( That one seems to be ok so far), pay debt but try to keep the power bill as low as possible to compete vs other electric rates in other provinces for attracting businesses.
A utility, publicly owned by NB Taxpayers, I personally do not believe they should be in the science lab business. Leave that to the private companies.
A utility, publicly owned by NB Taxpayers, I personally do not believe they should be in the science lab business. Leave that to the private companies.
David Raymond Amos
Reply to @Joe Rootliek: You have the right to intervene at the EUB and try to hold NB Power accountable for their rate increases etc.
Joe Rootliek
Reply to @David Raymond Amos: It would be nice if they could tour the province. Cannot afford to travel that far, I am on social assistance.
David Raymond Amos
Reply to @Joe Rootliek: I live off my old pension yet I Intervene
Joe Rootliek
Reply to @David Raymond Amos: You live near Freddy?
Joe Rootliek
Reply to @Joe Rootliek: Why is all this stuff down south, all of the time.
David Raymond Amos
Reply to @Joe Rootliek: Plus you can email the board and have your opinions recorded in the public record like the Green Party people often do
Joe Rootliek
Reply to @David Raymond Amos: That is nice to know. Thanks.
Joe Rootliek
Reply to @Joe Rootliek: You make a good point there. Not many people realize they can do that.
David Raymond Amos
Reply to @Joe Rootliek: I sitting outside of Fat Fred City right now preparing some documents for more litigation against the Crown Federal Court One lawsuit involves NB Power
Joe Rootliek
Reply to @David Raymond Amos: That is allot of work. Good luck, long coffee nights no doubt.
David Raymond Amos
Reply to @Joe Rootliek: One cup a day tis all
Joe Rootliek
Reply to @David Raymond Amos: Well, long as you make it off of peak hours, NB Power will not charge you with the smart meter.
David Raymond Amos
Reply to @Joe Rootliek: Google Fundy Royal Debate
Joe Rootliek
Reply to @David Raymond Amos: Yes impressive, how close did you get from getting elected?
David Raymond Amos
Reply to @Joe Rootliek: Its not about getting elected Its about exposing public corruption and protecting my family Google your name and mine
Joe Rootliek
Reply to @David Raymond Amos: Yes, protection, fairness is what we all need.
Joe Rootliek
Reply to @Joe Rootliek: Must go now, getting droggy tired.... Till next debate.
David Raymond Amos
Reply to @Joe Rootliek: Don't surprised if our exchange goes "Poof" overnight
Roy Kirk
The old NBEPC was far more transparent in its activities. It was morphed into NB Power largely to hide its activities from public scrutiny.
David Raymond Amos
Reply to @Roy Kirk: I don't doubt you
Paul Bourgoin
Am I the only one in New Brunswick who can't figure out where the PROFIT money from our natural resources goes? Not in our banks, not in our pockets not on augmenting the health services, schooling quality to name a few but one thing is certain is the rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer and why? A Commission should be set in place to find out where the taxation money goes, who pays, who doesn't pay, who are the first in line for subsidies and inform the Public as to where the money goes?
David Raymond Amos
Reply to @Paul Bourgoin: Cry me a river As a former border guard you should know your job was hooked at the with the taxman while I was suing Yankee Treasury Agents for NOT collecting taxes
David Peters
"...where the utility is accountable to the shareholder, with some form of a presentation similar to that.""
Why hasn't that been done all along? With the internet like it is, the ratepayer/taxpayer/shareholder could know what's going on, financially, within the monopoly, on a quarterly basis.
Why hasn't that been done all along? With the internet like it is, the ratepayer/taxpayer/shareholder could know what's going on, financially, within the monopoly, on a quarterly basis.
David Raymond Amos
Reply to @David Peters: Methinks and all the other dudes he is talking to know NB Power gives an annual report to the Lt Governor every year Anyone can read it N'esy Pas?
Cam Randal
As long as Gaëtan Thomas is at the helm of NB Power, and is not held accountable for the Joi Scientific fiasco, then David Coon is absolutely right to request additional oversight on the actions of NB Power.
David Raymond Amos
Reply to @Cam Randal: Methinks everybody knows that the Green Party leader is playing political games just like all the rest are N'esy Pas?
Terry Tibbs
So, with the Greens, the Liberals, and the Conservatives, "on board" with restricting these folks, what seems to be "the hold up"?
David Raymond Amos
Reply to @Terry Tibbs: Go Figure