Govt Urges Public Input In Bermuda Energy Plan
“The Ministry of Home Affairs is “encouraging the public to participate in the next-generation Integrated Resource Plan [IRP] consultation process, highlighting the community’s crucial role in shaping Bermuda’s energy future.”
A Government spokesperson said, “This public engagement ensures that our energy landscape aligns with both global advancements and local innovations.
“Since 2018, Bermuda has embarked on a progressive journey towards energy diversification and the increased use of renewables. The next-generation IRP offers a vital platform for the public to continue this journey, addressing critical infrastructure needs, promoting grid enhancements, and integrating more innovative transmission, distribution, and renewable [TD&R] technologies.
“Public involvement is key to developing effective strategies for better demand management, conservation, and efficiency measures. The IRP process will consider these factors, ensuring a comprehensive approach to Bermuda’s energy planning.”
Minister of Home Affairs Walter Roban stated, “With considerable development occurring globally in the energy sector, Bermuda aims to stay at the forefront by embracing innovation and public collaboration. This IRP process is an opportunity for everyone to contribute their insights and ideas, ensuring a robust and forward-thinking energy strategy for the island. The participation of our community is essential in shaping a sustainable and resilient energy future for Bermuda. We encourage all residents to take an active role in this consultative process.”
The Government spokesperson said, “For more information or to participate in the IRP public consultation process, please visit the Regulatory Authority of Bermuda.”
Ya right!! Like they will listen and take anyone of the publics idea, please who are they trying to fool!!
Oh, the Government listens, steals your ideas, and politicians use the ideas when politicians see benefits. You will never get public credit for your ideas. Notice that bureaucrats making six-figure salaries sit back and wait to do things instead of being proactive and doing common sense things. Why are “consultations” required when taxpayer-funded bureaucrats should already know what needs to be done? If they do not know how to get common sense things done, why are they not fired or replaced with people who get things done?
“why are they not fired or replaced with people who get things done”
Why are members of the civil service “not fired or replaced”? Really?
Civil servants servants don’t get fired. They get seconded to another department where they can continue to inflict their incompetence until their retirement day
Hilarious, right?
My thoughts as well
“The Ministry of Home Affairs is “encouraging the public to participate in the next-generation Integrated Resource Plan [IRP] consultation process, highlighting the community’s crucial role in shaping Bermuda’s energy future.”
Why? Does the PLP Government believe that members of the public have the necessary expertise in identifying a long-term energy resource strategy?
IRPs typically describe how a utility will meet future customer needs at the least cost to consumers. That requires knowledge of the cost of the utility doing business. Such information is not public knowledge. Having meaningful input on an IRP also requires knowledge of transmission and distribution strategies. There is no one in the PLP Government with such knowledge, so there is no way for the PLP Government to evaluate the input they now solicit.
The public consultation gives environmental groups a means to vent with their pre-packaged proposals. Politicians pander to environmentalists as a voting block. It also makes the public believe that our elected officials listen to what they have to say.
“IRPs typically describe how a utility will meet future customer needs at the least cost to consumers. That requires knowledge of the cost of the utility doing business. Such information is not public knowledge.”
Not entirely true. The cost of BELCO doing business is public knowledge posted on their website. BELCO’s financials are posted. Costs to the consumers are detailed in the bill. Energy reduction ideas are common sense. Your energy usage history is known.
This thing called the Internet and AI tools like ChatGPT can be used for ideas. But common sense, which the Government lacks, tells you that for the size of the Bermuda market, an Integrated Resource Plan for energy means higher costs to consumers and businesses. Take suggestions and eliminate the unreasonable.
Question to ChatGPT: What are some low-cost and practical ideas for an Integrated Resource Plan for energy for the country of Bermuda?
ChatGPT Answer:
Creating an Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) for Bermuda would involve outlining a comprehensive strategy to meet the country’s energy needs while balancing economic, environmental, and social considerations. Here are some ideas to consider:
1. Renewable Energy Expansion
Solar Power: Invest in large-scale solar farms and incentivize residential and commercial solar panel installations. Bermuda’s sunny climate is ideal for solar energy. (feasible)
Wind Power: Explore the feasibility of offshore or onshore wind farms. Wind energy could complement solar power, especially during periods of low sunlight. (not feasible)
Ocean Energy: Investigate opportunities for ocean thermal energy or wave energy given Bermuda’s island location. (possible)
2. Energy Efficiency Programs
Building Standards: Implement and enforce strict energy efficiency standards for new buildings and retrofits. (absolutely)
Energy Audits: Offer incentives or subsidies for energy audits and efficiency upgrades in residential, commercial, and public buildings.(absolutely)
Smart Grids: Develop smart grid technologies to improve energy distribution efficiency and integrate renewable energy sources effectively. (possible)
3. Diversification of Energy Sources
Battery Storage: Invest in large-scale and residential battery storage solutions to manage the intermittency of renewable energy sources. (not feasible)
Hybrid Systems: Develop hybrid energy systems that combine renewable sources with backup generation technologies, such as natural gas or bioenergy, to ensure reliability. (possible)
4. Sustainable Transportation
Electric Vehicles (EVs): Promote the adoption of electric vehicles through incentives and expand EV charging infrastructure. (not feasible for a variety of reasons)
Public Transit: Improve and expand public transportation options to reduce reliance on private vehicles and lower overall energy consumption. (possible if buses run 100% of the time)
5. Energy Conservation Measures
Public Awareness: Launch public education campaigns on energy conservation practices. (possible)
Incentives for Conservation: Provide financial incentives for individuals and businesses to adopt energy-saving technologies and practices. (possible)
6. Regulatory and Policy Framework
Renewable Energy Targets: Set ambitious yet achievable targets for renewable energy adoption and carbon reduction. (not needed)
Supportive Policies: Develop policies that support investment in renewable energy and energy efficiency, such as tax credits, grants, and subsidies. (not needed)
7. Community Engagement and Stakeholder Involvement
Public Consultations: Engage with the community and stakeholders to gather input and build support for the IRP. (replace with AI feedback)
Local Partnerships: Collaborate with local businesses, non-profits, and educational institutions to drive innovation and implementation. (free market can do its thing)
8. Research and Development
Innovation: Invest in research and development to explore new technologies and solutions tailored to Bermuda’s unique energy needs and geographical constraints. (let the free market work)
Pilot Projects: Test new technologies and approaches through pilot projects to evaluate their feasibility and effectiveness. (let the free market work)
9. Economic Considerations
Cost-Benefit Analysis: Perform detailed cost-benefit analyses for proposed energy projects to ensure they are economically viable. (absolutely!)
Funding Mechanisms: Explore various funding mechanisms, including public-private partnerships, international aid, and green bonds, to finance energy projects. (let the free market work)
10. Resilience and Reliability
Climate Adaptation: Plan for climate resilience by considering how to protect energy infrastructure from extreme weather events and sea-level rise. (possible)
Emergency Preparedness: Develop contingency plans and backup systems to maintain energy supply during emergencies or disruptions. (absolutely!)
By combining these strategies, Bermuda can create a robust and sustainable Integrated Resource Plan that meets its energy needs while supporting environmental and economic goals.
All energy is renewable. Why our overeducated and overpaid bureaucrats do not know this is troubling. “Green” energy is too expensive for Bermuda, is absolutely unreliable, and has to be backed up by fossil fuels. Those three points alone should have been enough to stop the madness. Why does the Government not “embrass” the facts?
Energy reduction and consumer savings should be the goals. The Government implemented my LED bulb mass purchase program (with a slight modification). Naturally, I was not given any credit. My electric hot water heater timer mass purchase & installation recommendation should be the next idea implemented. I paid for a timer and installation out of my pocket in 2016 and it paid for itself in 3-4 months. No expenditure for an island-wide infrastructure is required, 100% on/off reliable, and ZERO cost to consumers for “integrating more innovative transmission, distribution, and renewable [TD&R] technologies.”
KISS – Keep It Simple S(fill in)
We have more solar panels per square mile than any other country, yet our Belco bills are one of the highest in the world. One factory in China retooling would have more impact on the earth than everything done in Bermuda, so stop the nonsense PLP as you have made us a poor country and I’m sick of being squeezed with your increases in the price to live in my home. All with nothing to show for it.
China is building more coal-fired plants each year than all the countries in the ENTIRE world. It is the stated position of the Chinese government that green energy is unreliable. Meanwhile, China makes billions of dollars off of the green agenda pushed in the Western world.
Renewable cheap energy? Easy. Build a new Tynes Bay Generator fueled by garbage plus the mulch from the Dump. Garbage and mulch are free, renewable and Bermuda produces mountains of it.
Sadly, the Tynes Bay waste facility is on its last legs. It is unlikely to last another 5 years. It was supposed to last more than 50 years and it is unlikely to last 40 years. And we don’t have money to replace it.
For those who are unaware of the real reason behind going green:
“Another Climate Alarmist Admits Real Motive Behind Warming Scare”
Have doubts? Then listen to the words of former United Nations climate official Ottmar Edenhofer: (November 13, 2010 interview)
“One has to free oneself from the illusion that international climate policy is environmental policy. This has almost nothing to do with the environmental policy anymore, with problems such as deforestation or the ozone hole,” said Edenhofer, who co-chaired the U.N.’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change working group on Mitigation of Climate Change from 2008 to 2015.
So what is the goal of environmental policy?
“We redistribute de facto the world’s wealth by climate policy,” said Edenhofer.
Headline Reuters: New Zealand scraps clean, green policies to boost economy