I agree with you. Also, the last thing Mike would want to do is be present. His attorney has been there. Having Laidlaw as the missing link to this hearing is convenient for both PSNH and Laidlaw. Having Concord Steam as a missing link now also throws out the testimony that Concord Steam came up with a PPA 18% below the cost of the Laidlaw PPA without having any infrastructure in place as Concord steam's PPA involves a greenfield project.
When I cross examined Gary Long as to whether the savings due to infrastructure or the 45-70 million was taken into consideration to bring down the rate within the PPA he conveniently stated that my question was for the developer (Laidlaw Berlin Biopower), not PSNH. Gee...Laidlaw isn't around to ask that question, so I guess I'll have to ask staff and the consumer advocate experts their opinion to get their take on it when it comes time to cross them.
Guaranteed this hearing goes into February. We are only at the first round of cross examination with three more experts to cross, and significantly more due process after that. Then we'll undoubtedly have the parade of merrymen (politicians, Barry and Joe) spouting off the "woe is Berlin", "jobs, jobs, jobs mantra. Fortunately, the PUC, intervenors, and PSNH are being educated ahead of time that Berlin has an annual payroll coming to the city this summer with the federal prison of some 40 million dollars annually of which statistics nationwide show at least 90% stays in the community. The federal prison is already starting hiring. Additionally, beginning Feb. 8 the influx for the Noble wind/Brookfield project begins with an influx of 200 workers substantially using Berlin for a base. I have my hands full trying to line up 140 units for these guys and need help. This project is larger than Laidlaw and will produce significant local jobs.
Now what we need to see happen is for the PUC to be convinced that Berlin isn't on the brink of disaster without Laidlaw and that a smaller biomass plant is really in the best interests of everyone involved including our forest. This is truly a PPA from hell. It's interesting to note that while cross examining Gary Long he denied any knowledge of liquidated harvesting heavily occurring in Berlin, that sweeping legislative changes in Maine as to liquidation harvesting forced one of the worst offenders (Dillon) to move his operations to northern NH where he among others have literally raped most of any immediate biomass significance of thousands of acres in close proximity to Berlin and northward stretching for miles. (It's great to have a retired logger friend as witness to this devastation who isn't prejudiced by employment and is beside himself as to liquidation practices that have replaced responsible forestry.)
I think a good move if need be would be to appeal a favorable ruling on the PPA as the Laidlaw project's significance will pale by the comparison of the impact of these other immediate influxes this spring and summer and people wont be so eager to sell themselves short in Berlin. Then we can bring in the smaller plant on the outskirts of town to help with the tax base, then redefine the middle of the city by eliminating the stack to REALLY enhance our tax base rather than selling the city short on a bad move in the city center. This whole hearing process was way too rushed based on the fact that Laidlaw and PSNH essentially did their number crunching three years ago and there is significant reason to appeal. These guys calculated that a rush job at the last moment would be the best way to get a touch down and I'm beginning to think and talk about a rate payer appeal process just in case this PPA passes as unreasonably written.
