Copeland’s Odd Reply

I dashed off a quick email to Copeland when it seemed like the story was starting to break that he was not invoved in the backroom deals with Delmarva to derail the Blue Water Wind deal by bringing the final “go/no go” decision into the legislature.

I wish I could just post his it right here, but it contains this threatening notice:

“This email may contain confidential and privileged material for
the sole use of the intended recipient. Any unauthorized review, use
or distribution by others is strictly prohibited.”

So I’ll just say that his response was odd.

He claims to be totally unaware of the September 12th letter to Russell Larson. Yes. this letter:

September 12, 2007

The Honorable Russell Larson
Controller General
Legislative Hall
P.O. Box 1401
Dover, DE 19903

Dear Controller General Larson:

WHEREAS, in the matter of the negotiation for a long-term power purchase agreement, per PSC Order 7199, the four State agencies are to authorize the final decision which must be unanimous among the four agencies; and
WHEREAS, the Controller General is to represent the General Assembly in this matter; and
WHEREAS, these negotiations have been conducted under cloak of a gag order; and
WHEREAS, the General Assembly should be afforded full access to the facts affecting the negotiations before rendering its final decision; and
WHEREAS, new information not available at the time of consideration of HB 6 (EURCSA) and/or at the issuance of the RFP which led to PSC Order 7199 may be relevant to the final decision of the General Assembly; and
WHEREAS, the decision may involve billions of dollars of ratepayer and public monies which may require a substantial rate increase for which the General Assembly may be held accountable;
NOW, THEREFORE:
BE IT RESOLVED that the General Assembly should know the full implications of its vote before, not after, such vote is cast by the Controller General; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we the undersigned are of the considered opinion that before you cast a final vote binding the GENERAL ASSEMBLY, you are obligated to return to the GENERAL ASSEMBLY for instructions as to how the GENERAL ASSEMBLY wishes to vote on the matter in question.

Sincerely,
Harris B. McDowell, III
State Senate, 1st District
Robert L. Venables
State Senate, 21st District
Charles L. Copeland
State Senate, 4th District
Gregory F. Lavelle
State Representative, 11th District
Gerald W. Hocker
State Representative, 38th District
Hazel D. Plant
State Representative, 2nd District

The very letter that scuttled the Blue Water Deal on the eve of it’s final approval. And Copeland was all …”what letter?”

To his credit he wrote me back and claims to have had no contact with Delmarva (cough…bullshit…cough), but the repsonse is odd.

I don’t get it. What’s your game Charlie?

Okay, what the hell. The warning does say “use or distribution by others” is problematic so I’ll just put his reply here and you decide.

Dear Mr. Scott:

I have never spoken to anyone from Delmarva regarding the PSC process.
I am unaware of what discussions that you are referencing. I’m also
not really sure what letter Mr. Larson received on September 12th. Do
you have any more detail?

Warmest Regards,

Charlie