Arkansas Blog

i doubt the peons make much but i would love to be an executive for that bunch, or maybe a lobbyist.

Likely someone's kid is slated for the top job at about 6 big, big, big ones.

"$109,000 average pay? Sound high to you?"

Not according to my SWEPCO bill.

$109,000 average pay? Sound high to you?<<

Not if you consider that management at that level will draw about 35x what the 'average' employee will draw. As you move on up the food chain management pay ratios get to 85x the average employee. Their figure also included all taxes and perks in the pay package.

You could check with their coal burning generator close to Siloam Springs for info.
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It's time for the Government to start an Apollo project for renewable energy. The nation that produces a workable alternative to fossil fuels will rule this century economically. If they will provide the funding and avoid politicizing the effort, which means they will have to let scientists and engineers run the project, I believe it can be done. The power industry is currently investing the same amount on R&D as the dog food industry. The government will have to step in.

Perhaps SWEPCO should be asked what the median salary will be, rather than the average. A few really high salaries would bring the average salary way up, concealing the fact that ole Joe Blow worker bee's salary is way down from the average of $109,000.

No wonder the cost of producing electricity at the proposed coal plant is not the lowest. Hope the regulators will ask tough questions about lower cost alternatives.

>>The nation that produces a workable alternative to fossil fuels will rule this century economically<<

Then hats off to Brazil. That nation is now completely off the petro grid. A combination of wind and renewables did it for Brazil:

Over the past three decades Brazil has worked to create a viable alternative to gasoline. With its sugarcane-based fuel, the nation may become energy independent this year. Brazil's ethanol program, which originated in the 1970s in response to the uncertainties of the oil market, has enjoyed intermittent success. Still, many Brazilians are driving "flexible fuel" cars that run on either ethanol or gasoline and allow the consumer to fill up with whichever option is cheaper - often ethanol. Countries with large fuel bills such as India and China are following Brazil's progress closely. The US is taking small steps towards the use of ethanol, but its process, relying on corn, is lengthier and more expensive. In addition, countries such as Japan and Sweden are importing ethanol from Brazil to help fulfill their environmental obligations under the Kyoto Protocol.

North Carolina and Florida each recently considered new coal fired plants. Florida rejected theirs. I'm not sure where NC stands.

But first, NC, FL, and GA each completed comprehensive studies showing that new efficiency programs, plus a renweable energy standard, are a more cost effective solution than building new coal fired or nuclear power plants. AR needs a comprehensive analysis of the potential for a statewide efficiency program and renewable energy standard. Florida's governor has spearheaded the creation of a new state energy plan that is much better on greenhouse gas emissions. Hopefully, our governor will do the same.

In every case I know of, efficiency and renewable energy studies show that such plans create MORE JOBS than building the power plant. More jobs, less consumer cost, less pollution. This is because when you build a power plant, you commit to sending ratepayer dollars out of state to buy the fuel (coal) for decades to come. With efficiency and renewables, those dollars pay for jobs for in-state people, weatherizing houses, and growing or maintaining renewable energy sources. Also, reduced energy costs make the state economy more efficient, freeing funds for investment rather than coal importation. Note that, every trainload of coal that comes into the state yields massive air pollution and mercury in the water. Why not have less pollution and more jobs?

GA has a recent study showing that a specific set of efficiency programs would REDUCE electricity demand by over 500 MW peak (the size of a moderately-sized power plant) while saving consumers $190 million.

AR needs to get with the program and put some modern options on the table that put us on a reasonable job-creating future path, not an expensive power plant arms-race. As others have noted here, we would pay a whole lot for each job created by the power plant and get an outdated system for decades to come. It is a loser, dinosaur project.

How do you think the big energy plant on our PSC will vote on this? And while we're on the subject of big energy plants, and I mean people who are planted, not energy manufacturing plants....How's the mind safety going in Utah since the big energy guy was put in charge of mining safety. That guy was so bad Bush had to use a recess appointment while everyone was out of town.

I wish there was a better term than fox in the hen house.....but I can't think of one that works better in these times of many many foxes being appointed to many many hen houses across the country. I don't recall any poisoned animal food on Clinton's watch. I can't remember any lead tainted toys coming from China in the 90s. And what about all those poison vegetables from last year? When in our history has a fresh salad been deadly?

When an administration cuts way down on the inspectors, cuts out a lot of inspecting, and puts lots of foxes in charge of hen houses.....like the mine in Utah and all up and down FEMA......people get sick, people get hurt....people die. And it appears there is nothing we can do about it. Hope it's not your kid or your wife or sister or brother next time. America....sucking like never before!

>>I can't remember any lead tainted toys coming from China in the 90s. And what about all those poison vegetables from last year? When in our history has a fresh salad been deadly?<<
DBI

I watched a special yesterday on FOX about port safety and import inspections. FAUX NEWS was so adamant about how diligent our port inspectors were working to prevent poisoned products from entering the U.S.

All this was a real howler. Bush has reduced the number of port inspectors to FIFTEEN for the entire nation. That should speed the delivery of goods to Wally but it only makes an dent in the dangerous products being dumped on our soon to be Third World country.

Friday's DemGaz has the SWEPCO contradicting all the previous testimony.

Before we were told the majority of the power from the new cola plant would go to Texas but today's paper said Arkansas needs the plant to hnadle our energy needs.

How can sending a bunch of power to Texas help Arkansas not have brownouts?

Lying sob's.

Has the Ark Times already done an article investigating and publishing key facts like (1) projected AR electricity usage (and who did the projections and whether they are reasonable) and (2) viable alternatives?

I've been away and may have missed it.