So I finally got around to reading this
Record of Decision.
SME prepared a Load system forcast in 2004. It was submitted to the RUS, where it was reviewed and approved. At that time, how much power was alloted to ECP? Why is the load forcast being adjusted now, and what does this say about the accuracy of the original forcast? The information and analysis were incorporated into the EIS.
But wait. I noticed another thing. Section 3, Background.
“In order to meet the projected power deficit, SME formally applied to RUS, an Agency that administers the U.S Department of Agriculture’s Rural Utilities Developement Program, in 2004 for a loan guarantee for the construction of an electric generating source, the proposed HGS, and related transmission facilities. The SME loan application covers the financing needs of its five rural electrical cooperative members, representing at least 85% of the total projected load requirement. Up to 15% of the projected load is planned to be financed seperately by Electric City Power, of Great Falls, Montana.” (emphasis added)
Now this document is not dated, but it was signed on 5/10/07. We learned on Friday, May 11, 2007, about the City’s reduction in share. (If they knew a week ago, or two weeks ago, about this ownership change, we all should have known. Why didn’t we?)
Two weeks ago? That’s being too kind my friend. When was this submitted to the RUS again? In 2004! 3/27/07 the Tribune wrote this. The EIS came out, in what, January? first of February? and this went to RUS for a decision. With that language in it. And Our City said…Well, our fiscal services Director said this on April 2nd.
“Mary Jolley asked about a 17.5% equity investment in SME made by the City and a projected 25% investment in Highwood Station. Executive Director Balzarini explained that the 17.5% investment was an initial investment by the City in the SME organization because the City represents one of six members. The projected 25% relates to the City’s ownership share of the Highwood Station facility.”
So either ECP did not know, and SME is progressing however they want, without telling ECP, or ECP did know, but failed to share it, or did know, and shared it with the City Commission (because ECP is an advisory board and would never keep that to themselves if they did know) and the City Commission didn’t say anything.
So pick your poison. Just don’t tell me the City knows what it is doing, and there is no risk, and then leave things like this lying around for innocent folks to stumble over.
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