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trips - One last thing on JFE. ACSR is a fraction of their 865 mm revenues. Giving JFE exclusive use of the company jewels in China is a huge mistake without 1) 100% confirmation that State Grid is on board. 2) JFE has the capability to wrap that much core.
Setting up additional pultrusion equipment to cover State Grid is easier than setting up wrapping/tensioning equipment for aluminum. Pultrusion is not as capital intensive, and it's a clean simple process. Setting up wrapping equipment requires significantly more $$$ for equipment, more room, etc. You can pull core in your garage, you need factories for wrapping.
The BK judge has his own formula. he didn't like the 10 day average and he didn't like whatever AQ wanted. I don't know if he has communicated the rate.
triplet dad - Responses to your statements (yours in italics).
I have a lot more interesting information (and some much more positive!) to post this weekend, including more details of the revised (as of October 2005) projected revenue amounts CTC presented in BK court....
You're too deep into the woods. Describing expenses, revenue, projections from BK hearings is not the big picture. If anyone is in this stock for the balance sheet they better bail quickly! The big picture from court was the judge saying they need to exit so the world can have access to the product. CTC has never been in a better position to achieve success:
CTC is exiting BK
CTC has the largest cable manufacturer as a partner for North American sales - GC.
CTC has the largest utility in North America as a customer, over 20% of the USA grid - AEP.
CTC has the most promising growth utility in North America as a customer, Warren Buffet is actively involved with the President of this utility who is actively involved with CTC. Buffet intends to put billions into energy - AEP.
CTC has the largest keeper of the grid as a partner and one of their engineers goes to work at CTC Irvine every day. This utility intends to invest 40 bill euros within 5 years - EDF.
CTC has an office in China developing multiple Chinese ACCC suppliers.
CTC is opening an office in Mexico. Why????
CTC has pre-arranged financing at the ready.
CTC ACCC is in PLS-CADD the number 1 grid design software in the industry. Over 90% market share.
CTC spent 2-3 years developing a strategic partner in JFE and then took someone's advice to kill the JV deal. I still hope BW changes his mind on the JFE. JV. Maybe he didn't want to do it because of the agreement he signed in Feb 2002 with ACTS which gave ACTS a ton of shares...
They took their own advise in killing the JV deal (Bonderman and others agreed with the decision after it was made). 2 to 3 years was enough time to discover JFE might be a paper tiger. The only people that can change BW's mind is JFE. So far they are doing a poor job. ACTS commission wasn't the issue, CTC would have paid ACTS 10% if JFE had traction with State Grid.
I know some question whether JFE could really sell 30,000 km/yr. Obviously, GC hasn't sold 30,000 km/yr (so far < 100 miles in the first year of its contract), but I still like having them as a strategic partner...
30,000 km = 18,000 mi. x 5,280 ft = 95,040,000 ft x $7 = $665,280,000. JFE is an $800,000,000 company of which (per ACTS) half of their business is produced by others. JFE alone couldn't handle the business and JFE wants an exclusive. GC is a 2.4 billion company and they couldn't handle that business alone.
Why not a 3-yr deal with JFE, or a deal that says if you don't hit certain sales targets there is a penalty of some sort? Deals like that are done all the time. Why not sign a 3-yr deal with JFE and turn them loose? Like I say, JVs with China are signed all the time with big US companies--why not CTC?
JFE has been told the JV is on if they can show CTC they can control the business with State Grid. That was a while ago and all JFE can come up with is some non-standard small size that CTC and GC never considered converting to ACCC. What's interesting is the 30 km was changed to 90 km. JFE said they could get 30,000 km from State Grid and all they can come up with is 90 km in 9 months? Remember the Wendy's commercial? Where's the beef? Well, where's the Drake? If JFE has control with State Grid don't you think they could find some Drake to hang. I believe the Drake size is more than 50% of transmission cables.
You have to put yourself in JFE's shoes--if you spent years promoting the product, and signing 3 MOUs with BW that indicate a JV will be formed, and then when the product is finally commercially ready to produce, BW says the JV is off, you would be upset too.
Put yourself in BW's shoes. ACTS and JFE say they can get 30,000 km a year and when asked to come up with some orders all they can come up with is 90 km?
I would be interested to hear what an independent board would think of signing such a JV with JFE.
Bonderman would be a good board candidate. he voted No.
I'm not sure you're aware State Grid was the unnamed third partner in the JV. Why? 2 reasons, first it guarantees the business, second, State Grids money is needed by JFE to fund new equipment required to support the increase in production. If JFE was supposed to bring State Grid in as a partner don't you think they could get more than 90 km to get the ball rolling? It's not too much to ask.
In the mean time CTC will develop other business in China. If JFE comes up with a meaningful level of business, then CTC will consider the exclusive JV. They should not sign an exclusive JV and then hope JFE can deliver.
Another possibility...short selling.
Crossing shares - It's pretty much trading shares outside the market. Consider them pre-arranged sells. Some times you see them on level 2, sometimes you don't. Here's a couple of examples.
An investor has 500,000 shares and has decided to sell all but 100,000. The current PPS is 2.00 and the volume typically is 50,000 shares a day. He knows if he hits the market with 400k shares he'll sell some at 2.00 but by the time he is done he might be selling them for 1.20. Maybe he averages 1.50 a share. Instead, he contacts IR and tells IR he wants to sell 400,000 shares. IR has been pushing the stock and has 3 investors looking for 500,000 shares. If the buyers hit the market with 500,000 shares they might start at 2.00 but when they are done they may drive the price to 2.50. IR arranges a sale between the seller and the buyers at $1.90. Everybody is happy.
or
A market maker is looking for a bunch of shares calls IR, IR is aware of a large seller and arranges the transaction.
or
IR sees a MM relentlessly on the ask and the stock is getting whacked. He's got an investor(s) looking for large positions. He contacts the market maker and they arrange the transaction(s).
taizu - If you are near Irvine you may stop by at anytime and pick some up. If not, give IR a call. They will send them.
Re: Ya ya. Don't believe for a minute anything he/she posts. It's funny he thinks patsy and I have done business with BW before CTC, and in Florida of all places!
My first knowledge of CTC came in the early summer of 2001. I was given the heads up from an investment broker selling shares in a TV production company headed by the ex-producer of the Cosby show. The broker was trying to sell the TV stuff to somebody in Michigan who happened to be Bill Harrison. Bill was in the midst of putting together the shell for Transmission Tech. Corp (TTC now CTC) reverse merger and told the broker there was an opportunity for investment in TTC.
The broker picked up an option to sell shares in TTC and called me. He thought I was looking for something like TTC, high risk - high reward. The broker introduced me to Bill and after 5 to 6 hours on the phone with Bill he gave me BW's number. Another few hours with BW on the phone and then in person and I was into TTC in a very big way. A short time later Bill Harrison hooked up with patsy in Michigan through mutual friends. Patsy plus a number of family/friends invested.
I was at CTC in March of 2003 for another round of financing when I first heard of Raging Bull. This was maybe the 3rd time I met BW and the first time I met BA. I asked BW if there was a place to discuss CTC on the net and he told me about Raging Bull. Patsy had started the CTC Rb site. There were lots of ya ya types back then and CTC was happy to have people who were aware of the product and it's potential post on RB.
I don't believe for a minute AQ is selling now in the market. If they wanted to move a large amount they would probably get help from CTC by crossing the shares.
Gold - You get 15 posts for free. More than 15 is spam as far as I'm concerened. If you want to clutter the board then you get to pay.
Isn't the air clean over here?
Any petition goes through the PUC, including those to build lines. If PUC is aware of CTC ACCC benefits all they need to do is ask the utility if they considered ACCC for reconductor rather than allow new rights of ways, new towers etc. before they approve. ACCC is less than 10% cost of new lines/towers. PUC should protect consumer footing the bill for unnecessary costs.
craps - Approving public utility projects is exactly what PUC's do, including your state. If you want to help CTC do a little Google lookup on your state's PUC. You'll find that indeed they review and approve and ultimately report to FERC who will more than likely manage the Energy Policy reliability standards.
FWIW - Here is Illinois:
The Energy Division provides general economic policy and engineering research and analysis to the Commission regarding state and regional electric energy issues; provides expert witness testimony in proceedings before the Commission on economic and engineering issues; intervenes on behalf of, and recommends intervention by, the Commission in interstate electric utility cases before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, participates in regional and national regulatory organizations on behalf of the Commission; reviews and investigates tariffs, petitions, and other utility filings; performs field audits and inspections related to electric utility operations; and monitors compliance with Commission rules and orders.
At a CA joint agency energy hearing I had the opportunity to give a presentation to and meet with the outgoing President of the CA PUC on behalf of CTC.
After the meeting we met for a short while. He has a long history in the industry including working at high levels within electric utilities and suppliers. When I asked him what he was going to do when he retired as President of the CPUC his response was...find a Board of Directors or two to sit on.
He knows CTC and CTC knows him.
For starters CTC is pretty much required to have a finance type guy on the board, someone with CFO credentials.
After that they can get creative. The most bang for the buck would come from an industry professional with Public Utility Commission experience.
Virtually every transmission grid project in this country is approved by PUC's. The PUC's will no doubt be the ones making sure the utilities in their domain meet the standard when it comes to the reliability requirements required by the 2005 Energy Policy Act.
In general what does a PUC do?
They review and are responsible for the needs of the people and the environment.
They promote efficiency.
They ensure reliability.
The approve/disapprove projects.
They approve/disapprove changes in rates.
In California the CPUC does the following as it relates to energy:
The many responsibilities of the PUC include setting electric rates, protecting consumers, promoting energy efficiency, and ensuring electric system reliability.
In short, they have the guys who buy the cable by the balls. Jump! How high?
B-dog - Why don't you start a marketing campaign on RB for your site? The RB issues and ya ya might do the trick this time.
EP - CAV?
http://stockcharts.com/gallery/?cav
OT- EP, if you get Showtime check out Festival Express. It's a movie shot in 1970 on the Festival Express Tour train trip through Canada. The train carried The Dead, The Band, Janis Joplin, Flying Burrito Bros. etc on a whistle stop concert tour through Canada.
EP - Thoughts on GNBT? hard to believe it ran that hard without news after the close.
GNBT running hard!
ep - CYBL doesn't fit your model but worth a look. Haven't seen it discussed today. It's churning a boat load of shares, will probably turn over 20% of the total outstanding shares today on 40% rise. It's good to do business with Uncle Sam and the technology is solid. The tip came from the CTC board a couple days back.
During BK CTC hit $3.25 per share.
However, during BK there has been an additional 5-6 mil shares exercised by the debenture finance holders - this obviously reduces the upside pressure on the PPS. The good news is that the PPS has weathered these events and is now moving higher.
I think $3.25 is realistic AFTER BK approval and BEFORE BK exit (30 days later) if revenue is announced in this period. Revenue announcements are likely as there is a lot going on with General Cable and it is in the best interest for CTC to drive the PPS up to lower the number of shares owed to litigants. GC has a conference call on 11/2. In the past they have discussed CTC. CTC BK exit would be a nice thing to mention when they discuss their energy sector business.
EP - You can't go wrong at either place. Depends on the vibe you're looking for and the weather you prefer. I much prefer the Caribbean atmosphere - not so commercial, you can feel like you're on an adventure as opposed to hanging out with the rest of the vacationers, the food is much more interesting, the beaches are second to none, and it typically has less weather (less rain) in the winter months than Hawaii. If you've already been to Hawaii - head to the Caribbean.
http://caribbeanvacations.orbitz.com/
But...if you golf and surf, Hawaii is where it's at!
CPTCQ financing approved within last hour. Should see a nice walk up and mini-boosh in the morning.
cws9 - Just curious did you also get a sample of the driver with the pultruded shaft? It would really go over well at your tournament
craps and others regarding the 230 mile Devers line - I had the chance to meet with members of CA Public Utility Commission, CA Energy Committee, Arnold's energy advisors, and the major CA utilities in March after the initial announcement of this new line.
It is possible this line could become ACCC. I wouldn't bet on it but I can state as fact there have been discussions and there will be future meetings with the agencies above and SCE about using ACCC to reconductor rather than spend $680 million on new towers, land right permits, etc. It's an uphill battle but there is time. Time is on CTC side as the more hard data they can provide from existing installations (line loss, power gain, etc.) the less resistance they will encounter from the principals involved. I could give further detail but prefer not to share in a public forum.
secretagentc - thanks! eom
One more time - for you Len...
Len - This post below was deleted because I referred to Phyl. So I won't do that anymore
Lent - I DIDN'T KNOW THE BK WAS GOING DOWN. But, for the sake of your argument, let's say I did know. I bought shares up until minutes before the announcement. Now that would be stupid!!! I could have waited 15 minutes and got shares for .50 rather than 1.19. I didn't buy shares after the BK - my wife would have killed me!!!!
I have taken very little money off the table with CTC. I did a great job of swing trading CTC in 2004 until it booshed in the fall at which time I stopped trading it for fear of not being able to buy back in. In 2005 I have only sold to provide funds for capital investment in my business. Less than $50k.
As for Phil wasting time trying to find where I said the lawsuits didn't exist and looking to blame others for the predicament and/or having inside info....
I stated my OPINION of the lawsuits, which obviously was the majority opinion of the market prior to the rulings against CTC in CTC vs Acquvest. In Oct-04 Acquvest filed a cross claim in the suit. That same month CTC PPS took off like a rocket and topped off in January followed by (IMO) a slow decline in PPS due to the lack of China agreement and no revenue orders.
That case had no affect on the PPS until a judge changed his mind on 4/14 and reversed 2 earlier opinions. When CTC announced they lost that ruling the stock went from steady decline to a downhill slide. The smart maybe saw the writing on the wall. I was NOT smart.
FWIW - I still think the suits are bogus and CTC will win or at least have much less exposure in a settlement.
You guys mentioned someone or some people posting BK info on RB before 5/5. I would question them how they knew, not patsy, garth or me. I can't comment as I never saw those posts and I haven't gone back to read the 3 or 4 days worth of junk before BK day.
One last thing - if CTC had executed on China and other significant business this lawsuit would have had very little effect on the PPS.
Len - Not you, the resident bovine rider. The board overseer has an issue with me referring to a bull as a cow but for some reason has no issue with the accusations (unfounded) of me selling shares with knowledge of BK with threats to inform the SEC.
To bobwins, phil, lentimen, AVATAR270 and the rest of the Art Bell Fan Club:
Some of your BS and my responses. Funny I don't see these types of personal attacks on the RB. Your apologies will be accepted!
Bobwins
"I agree on Derx. I haven't followed the RB board for months because it was redundant without any news but I did for a long time. Derx never went that long without posting to my knowledge...Maybe we will find the answer someday."
Me
Today's the day. Believe it or not I don't live for this. I made over $80,000 last week in my business (not related to selling stocks or CTC). Posting on chat boards comes way down the list. One of you guys actually took the time to investigate how often I post. I read this junk in spurts - sometimes the RB is so full of crap I lose interest only to be spurred on by some jerk that requires correction. FWIW - I lost over $2,000,000 on paper on BK day. You can calculate how much my portfolio has decreased since January...but I don't blame others unlike you members of the ABFC.
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lentimen
"Craps: Re: DERX. What do you want to bet he sold some of the zillions of shares of stock that were sold leading up to the announcement? We all know how unbelievably close he was to management. That coupled with his sudden silence leading up to the BK represents some serious evidence that he knew....Now, if he sold into it early in the week, he may have to answer to the SEC. If he didn't, he won't."
Me
See above answer. I used some of the $80k I banked in my business to buy CTC. Here's the last of several trades I made in an eTrade account on 5/5. If any of you ABFC members use eTrade you will recognize this copy and paste from my eTrade Alerts pop-up window:
05/05/05 1:54 PM EDT Buy 8500 CPTC @ 1.19 Executed Details / Edit
05/05/05 1:51 PM EDT Buy 500 CPTC @ 1.19 Executed Details / Edit
05/05/05 1:51 PM EDT Buy 1000 CPTC @ 1.19 Executed Details / Edit
--------------
Rattman
"On RB there are so many new faces I think its the OLD ones with new names. And I also think some of those Big Names ( you know who you are) knew of this BK thing a little before it happened and I am sure you made a ton of cash... I hope someday you get burnt like most of us did yesterday."
Me
Someone made a boatload of money selling into the BK and repurchasing after. I can tell you 3 that didn't know and didn't sell before the BK - derx, patsy, garth. So who knew? The street is the street. Somehow the street knows. I trust CTC management wasn't involved - the stakes are way too high on this for them. I believe others outside of the CTC management team at CTC or at a supplier in the Pre-Pack somehow wittingly or unwittingly tipped off investors. It's too late now - the best that can happen for longs is too hang in there. I really feel for those that felt the squeeze and sold and now have to pay even more to get back in.
--------
Phil
"I knew the lawsuits had not been settled from reading the public filings, and told EP that in one of my posts. If you want to blame anyone for your losses, blame those two."
"Were they lying? Or were they distributing false information? Or did they just not know what they were talking about? In any case, they were not telling the truth as we now know it."
Me
So I was lying about the lawsuits? How do you figure? It would be stupid for me to say they didn't exist as any dummy can read the company filings and see they exist. The only lawsuit that I thought mattered in the history of CTC was the Goldsworthy suit which would have prevented CTC from selling anything. I suffered through that from 11/2001 until 12/2002. It was ruled on in favor of CTC with prejudice.
Obviously I was wrong about the seriousness of the Acquvest case. They and others truly are scabs (based on what I know) and are first class evidence of why the USA needs tort reform as it relates to spurious law suits. But don't just count me wrong, CTC was blind sided last month when Makino (I think he is the OC Superior Court Judge) ruled in favor of Acquvest in their 3rd attempt to freeze CTC assets. CTC literally thought the judge made a clerical error in that ruling and immediately filed an emergency stay which was denied. He had ruled against Acquvest twice before on the same matter and gave no prior indication that he would consider favoring it in a 3rd attempt.
Carswell doesn't lie, is he optimistic on the timing of events - no doubt. Unfortunately his hands are tied when other companies are involved and have the final say on PR news.
The best example I can give is National Grid. He was promising this PR for a couple of months. The National Grid event occurred last October and he is still waiting for the OK from National Grid to release a PR. It's been so long now he no longer follows up with them.
To me, National Grid buying some ACCC for a long term test that included 3M, was a PR that could have more affect than a revenue order. Why? Because 3M and CTC would be mentioned in the PR, and there are probably 100,000 more shareholders of 3M than CTC. CTC would be introduced for the first time to thousands that keep 3M on a watch list. Those thousands could be potential investors of CTC.
So what does National Grid say about this event? This comes from their internal newspaper. CTCKING may have posted this on the RB.
National Grid Test of High-Tech Conductors is up in the Air (From the March/April 2005 issue of Network USA, National Grid’s newspaper for U. S. employees)
They may look like garden-variety transmission conductors, but the recently developed, high-capacity conductors National Grid is testing on a circuit in western New York are definitely not your father’s transmission conductors.
Manufactured by St. Paul-based 3M and Composite Technology Corporation (CTC) of Irvine, Cal., the two types of conductors were installed in two contiguous 3,300-foot sections as part of a 10-mile, double-circuit transmission line upgrade project between the cities of Niagara Falls and North Tonawanda, near Buffalo. Unlike many traditional transmission conductors, which have a steel core, these new conductors have a core made of high-strength, low-weight composite material, which enables them to carry significantly more electricity than traditional transmission conductors of the same size. Using a composite core also eliminates the corrosion that can build up within a steelcore conductor.
“As demand for electricity continues to grow, so does the challenge of building new transmission circuits necessary to keep pace with that demand,” said Marc Mahoney, vice president of Transmission Network Asset Management. “We are responding by developing innovative ways to increase the capacity of our existing network, while maintaining high levels of reliability and reducing congestion, or bottlenecks, on the system.”
The advanced conductors offer the additional benefit of sagging less than traditional conductors. Increasing the amount of electricity that flows through a conductor causes it to heat up, expand and sag. Safety codes require specific clearances between conductors and the ground, based on the capacity rating of the conductor. With less line sag, existing transmission structures can be used for retrofit projects such as this one where additional capacity is required. This helps to reduce project cost and duration.
Over the next several years, various properties of the two conductors such as durability and integrity, vibration levels in various weather and wind conditions, and tension and sag levels will be tested in the field and in the laboratory to determine their viability for more widespread use throughout National Grid’s electricity transmission network.
“We manage our transmission network to deliver benefits to our customers, communities and electricity markets,” explained Mahoney. “One of the most effective ways to accomplish this is to maximize the delivery capability of our existing system. These conductors may significantly enhance our ability to do just that.”
This is a load of crap. A couple of weeks back patsy was contacted by a large broker (I don't think it was MSDW) that holds a relatively small number of his shares who asked to borrow some. That's it, no more, no less. It certainly wasn't a significant number and he was the only one.
There were plenty of signals to sell that were more important than that. Most significantly the OC Superior court ruling against CTC.
njguy21 - Thanks for your kind words friend!
The same can't be said for the POS who posted the following. This is a sampling from these POS's
---------
AVATAR270
---------
bobwins
lentinman, I heard that Martha Stewart had shares of cptc and that her broker tipped her off. I think Martha should go back in the slammer. Last time she went in, her net worth went up by tens of millions........hmmmmm maybe I should go in the slammer for a while and see what happens.
I agree on Derx. I haven't followed the RB board for months because it was redundant without any news but I did for a long time. Derx never went that long without posting to my knowledge. Of course he could have gone a vacation to a faraway primitive island without phones,etc. Somehow I don't think so.
Maybe we will find the answer someday. Bobwins
-----------
Lentiman
Craps: Re: DERX.
I could buy that he is just laying low - depressed and maybe didn't know anything about it.... EXCEPT he had 10 posts on Thursday of last week, 6 on Friday and even one on Saturday morning. Then nothing for the rest of Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday leading up to the BK announcement. For him to be MIA for so many days is extremely unusual! I don't believe in coincidences! It is FAR more likely that he found out and figured there was absolutely nothing he could say.
What do you want to bet he sold some of the zillions of shares of stock that were sold leading up to the announcement?! I have nothing against him personally. I like him. But, we all know how unbelievably close he was to management. That coupled with his sudden silence leading up to the BK represents some serious evidence that he knew.
Now, if he sold into it early in the week, he may have to answer to the SEC. If he didn't, he won't.
Len
--------------
Rattman cptc
On RB there are so many new faces I think its the OLD ones with new names. And I also think some of those Big Names ( you know who you are) knew of this BK thing a little before it happened and I am sure you made a ton of cash... I hope someday you get burnt like most of us did yesterday .
If you'll remember Derx and EP jumped all over me and said the lawsuits had been settled and the shareholders had nothing to worry about.
--------
I knew the lawsuits had not been settled from reading the public filings, and told EP that in one of my posts.
If you want to blame anyone for your losses, blame those two.
Were they lying?
Or were they distributing false information?
Or did they just not know what they were talking about?
In any case, they were not telling the truth as we now know it.
Phil
beigledog - You run a nice board here. To bad the same can't be said for some of your posters (I'll get to them later).
I typically post only on the RB cause of time and, quite frankly, that's where the action is and where I can be of help to most people. I haven't looked at this board for a couple of weeks and only checked to see what if anything is being said about the BK.
I don't spend my days pouring over posts on the RB. Generally I check out the chats when I have run out of things to do and I don't have an immediate family need or income-from-my-job need.
I was surprised to see the POS's posts about myself (mostly), patsy and garth.
willy - You are really off the mark. Look at the Q or K to get exec payment.
Hydro One & Austin
CTC is involved with both Austin and Hydro One. As someone posted earlier, Kinectrics was a spin off of Ontario Hydro. Hydro One is the transmission portion of OH. The GC that wraps ACCC is in Toronto. The first core ever wrapped at GC was done in the presence of OH.
Gents. A blast from the past regarding CTC and EMF:
Both sides see victory in council's power-line decision
BY AMY MORENZ , STAFF WRITER, 06/30/2004
Both opponents and TXU Electric Delivery are declaring victory after Monday night's City Council decision ending 30 months of debates about proposed transmission-line changes in central Plano.
TXU Electric Delivery can build only one of two lines it had proposed west of Carpenter Park, council members unanimously voted Monday.
They must build one line in the middle of land designated for utility use in 1959. Since then, homes have been built fronting that pathway and Preston Ridge Trail added for pedestrian use.
The trails are west of Coit Road between Eldorado Drive on the south and McDermott Road to the north.
The council's vote overturned previous decisions by the Plano Parks Board and Public Utility Commission. Both bodies had approved TXU Electric Delivery's request to replace the current H-frame wood structures with metal poles that would then be relocated closer to upscale homes.
Moving those lines would pave the way for a second line's possible construction in 2008, TXU officials said. The council's decision means the company will not have to relocate the Preston Ridge Trails at an estimated $200,000.
Adding one line will triple power the Collin-Renner line can deliver to Plano customers. TXU Electric Delivery is expected to install poles between 85 and 100 feet on a three-mile stretch between Carpenter Park and the George Bush Turnpike this fall.
A second 3.5-mile link between Carpenter Park and State Highway 121 will be added this spring, said John Walls, a TXU Electric Delivery spokesman.
Bob Dean, the company's engineer, told council members the solution was adequate, but only for the short term.
"With all the change in technology in the next three or four years, isn't there a chance something new will come along?" asked Mayor Pat Evans. "It isn't predictable to know what will happen in the next five, six or 10 years. It's premature to assume we will need a second line."
Plano is already 42 percent over emergency limits, Dean said.
The 21-mile Collin-Renner line serves Plano and Frisco, including 40 percent of undeveloped commercial land in Plano. Moving the existing section would provide enough space for a second line's construction to support long-range needs.
Both homeowners and TXU Electric Delivery said Monday's vote was a success.
Citizens Against Powerline Expansion campaigned against the idea for 30 months. Seventeen homeowner groups in Central Plano eventually joined their battle and faced the PUC in 2002.
"We didn't think this was going to happen," said opponent Brad Hopson. "This shows you can never say die. It took a lot of people at the grass roots telephoning and e-mailing."
CAPE leader Gerry Walsh said he is happy with the outcome.
"It could have been two poles; that could have been a disaster for homeowners on both sides of the right-of-way," he said. "The council stood up and made TXU Electric Delivery think about future technologies."
Walls said TXU Electric Deliver is also pleased with the outcome.
"We're pleased that the council supported this project that gives us short-term certainty," Walls said. "It's important since some circuits could have been overburdened."
Finding a new composite technology made the difference to opponents, Walsh said. TXU Electric Delivery did not previously examine alternatives to its easement request.
CAPE facilitated a meeting between TXU Electric Delivery and Composite Technology Corp., which manufactures a composite cable.
The cable can double the amount of power traveling on traditional lines and could limit additional pole requirements, CTC executives said.
elektro - You won't find data on EMF for ACCC. CTC knows it's lower, much lower as tested by Kinectrics. Unfortunately they have been so busy in other areas that they haven't gotten to the bottom of why it's so much lower. They also discovered some other interesting data on ESD with ACCC as well as some tricks with multi-line ACCC configurations that lowers EMF even further. When they dedicate themselves to this project info will be forthcoming. First things first...and I know, believe me I know, attacking EMF might get them further towards revenue so they should make it a priority.
OT: EP - Shoot me an email - mail I have sent is being returned. Maybe you changed providers? eom
OT: EP - Shoot me an email - mail I have sent is being returned. Maybe you changed providers? eom
itrytowin - China is a big opportunity. Too big to expect one supplier to be able to handle, particularly since State Power has divided into regional entities after the announcement of the original JV.
Benton stated at the SH mtg that there would be a number of "Jiangsu's". The wise course in choosing most likely starts at State Power. State Power should be able to tell CTC who they want to buy from (I believe Jiangsu was introduced to CTC in this manner). I guess favoritism, back scratching, etc comes into play in a manner and level we are not accustomed to anymore here so CTC has to tread lightly. I imagine the Brother-in-law of a regional minister could have an inside track, perhaps the first cousin of a State Power manager, etc.
Figuring out a business model in this environment obviously is a daunting task. If it was easy it would have been done by now.
Bogey - Your China JV post has some speculation which misses the mark:
"I feel the China JV as we knew it is dead." - Most true. It was dead last fall and communicated by Benton at the 2005 SH mtg. For sure BB will be involved in whatever transpires now. For sure we know BW wants more control, more % of profit, and less $$ paid out to Chinese.
"But wait, here comes Brian Brittsan to the rescue..." - Not true. JV decision was made last fall before BB was with company.
"They call every week asking for machines and uncooked core and Benton apologizes and tells them no he can sell them core or cable but he can't let them have any machines and back and forth it goes." - For sure State Power continues to stay in touch with CTC but it's more complex than that. You have to look at China as 3 entities: end user, local supplier, local broker (deal maker). State Power is the end user; Jiangsu and others who wrap are local suppliers; and the Chinese representative/broker is ? The issue is with the suppliers and brokers (not State Power) as they lick their chops at the $$$. Benton realized they were not getting the best deal for CTC. The original JV was too narrow in scope, too expensive for CTC, and lacked control for CTC.
Doing business in China is quite different. I'm sure there are a number of deal makers/suppliers who say they can bring you the State Power business. The key is getting the right ones that can be considered partners. CTC is making progress here. The great thing is that GC is ready to supply completed cable short term once the ink is dry with the suppliers/brokers.
Don't forget the original JV supplier/broker made it public in China before CTC was ready to commit, so CTC had to release news in the USA before they were ready.