Jack Markell Calls For Putting State Purchasing Power Behind the Promise of Renewable Energy
This statement from Markell is a fantastic glimpse into the kind of smart, action oriented Governor he is going to be.
NEWARK – Recognizing the important and crucial role the state can play in the ongoing negotiations over offshore wind, State Treasurer Jack Markell pledged Monday morning to purchase wind power for the state as governor.
Markell explained his proposal in the following statement:
More than two years after I became the first statewide elected official in Delaware to speak in favor of wind energy for Delaware, it appears that progress is being made for a resolution to what has
become a drawn out process. Based on the fact that Senator DeLuca has facilitated negotiations between Bluewater Wind and Delmarva, the challenge is now for the state of Delaware to join the effort and be part of the solution.Recent reports indicate that Bluewater Wind and Delmarva are negotiating an agreement for Delmarva to purchase a certain amount of energy from Bluewater. Undoubtedly, a sticking point in such negotiation is likely to be the amount of energy to be purchased.
Consistent with my renewable energy proposals released last fall, I believe the state of Delaware can lead by example, and demonstrate its support of renewable energy directly. Therefore, I believe the state should agree to negotiate to purchase a significant portion of the energy used by state government from offshore wind.
Through this pledge not only do I hope to lock in stable prices for a portion of State Government’s energy purchasing, I also hope that by offering to make the state a direct partner in this deal that
agreement will be able to be struck much more quickly and before it needs to be mandated. Representative Booth’s amendment to house concurrent resolution number 38 was a step in the right direction, but now the state needs to step up and be a partner in the negotiation directly.I, like many Delawareans have been disappointed that it has taken so long to bring this process to completion. I supported a clean renewable energy option over natural gas or coal earlier than other
politicians because I recognized that it would advance the interests of better health, a cleaner environment and price stability. Moreover, I stated at the time that three core values need to be evident in any decision we make about Delaware’s energy future:* The people of Delaware deserve transparency in the public process.
* Every decision must consider the importance of price stability, new technology, and reductions in environmental impact.
* Only a long-term view of cost-effectiveness which takes into account the changing business environment in which these facilities will operate during their entire functioning life can fully inform our decision makers.
I felt then and do now, that those are the central elements of a sound decision about the future of energy for Delawareans. And those same principles lead me to believe that another consumer – Delaware State Government – can benefit from the same kind of thinking.
A direct agreement among all the parties is our best option for immediate action, not more politics. We are all concerned with Delaware’s future and it’s time to take the next step forward.
I am all for it. Energy independence is a matter of national security and environmental preservation.
Wind power by 2020 will represent at least a 50% savings over fossil fuels, so balancing the budget will be easier because of offshore wind, as well.
Talk about cutting expenses….
I wonder what is taking large corporate interests, such as FMC, or Dupont from adding their support for offshore wind in order to lower their costs relative to their competitors as well……
Kavips, One word: Farley. Minner and her posse, if nothing else, is a whores-for-BFF-Lobbyists. Any company who is in with the Dover powers follows their lead and believe me, they are duly compensated. The House DEMs standing up to the powers on cancer cluster information-sharing is one of the best indications that there is a new game in town, a change of heart on blind loyalties that feed the special interests.
Markell leaves himself an out:
“Only a long-term view of cost-effectiveness which takes into account the changing business environment in which these facilities will operate during their entire functioning life can fully inform our decision makers.”
Where is this long-term view study? Even the UofD paper (Dhanju, Whitaker, Kempton et all) of 2006 states:
“But 2 or more years’ worth of wind speed data at hub height have been required by investors to secure financing….for other parties, an APPROXIMATE calculation of the offshore wind resource and its value MAY be useful.”
The abstract of the paper admits that the methodology “can be carried out as an INITIAL ASSESSMENT of resources…”.
The private investors need a higher standard, and at hub height, not an extrapolation from buoy height.
I applaud Markell’s committement to using alternative energy, and am confident as a businessman he will examine the whole picture. That one paragraph says it.