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On with the new, dump the old
CUC officials mentioned that the present power capacity is at 5 megawatts but the peak consumption need is 35 megawatts. They also mentioned that we have an overcapacity of roughly 30 megawatts. I admit that I am not an expert in the field but it does raise several questions.
First, why not simply turn on the needed generators that will satisfy the peak requirement for the 35 megawatts and have the remaining 30 megawatts as standby units? Secondly, why not move forward in the implementation of the net metering policies to further reduce the need for CUC to maintain the 35 megawatts that depend on dirty fuel? Third, why not focus on clean energy through a build-operate-transfer approach from clean energy investors.
We have to admit that we need to change and we need to think green. All focus right now by CUC officials is the status quo, which will not be in the best interest of the community it is serving. Think about it. If the entire community is encouraged to produce electricity through net metering and other tax incentives, the need for CUC to burn dirty fuel will be reduced. Further, if CUC will buy electricity through build-operate-transfer deals with companies that can put up green energy, the existing power plants can perhaps be used as standby generators.
Some believe that we cannot totally move away from dirty fuel but there are models all over the world that proves that belief wrong. Simply think harder and look deeper. Who would have thought back in the ’70s when Star Trek was out to figure that communication from the ground to a space ship is possible? Today not only can you communicate with anyone around the world but you can also see them in real time. So people, open you eyes and simply think that yes, there is a possibility. Let’s move forward with the new and dump the old. Get rid of people that want to keep the junk running. Remember that in many of the states, part of the incentives to turn green was to junk the old cars for new ones through tax rebate. Let’s move forward.
Frank M. Atalig
Sinapalo I, Rota
