Here is a whimcisal look at SME: (A letter to the editor at the Billings Gazette):
Five years ago, five rural Montana electrical co-ops, including Beartooth, became convinced their mother ship, the USS Bonneville Power Administration, was sinking.
A lifeboat appeared, captained by a rather dapper gentleman, talking really fast. "I am here to save you!" called the captain, pointing to the dog picture and charts. "This puppy's 'Highwood.' He's a big'urn all right: more'n twice what you need. But that's his beauty: we'll sell the extra power to fools not as smart as us for more'n twice what it costs. 'Highwood' won't cost a penny over $440 million: a bargain at twice the price. Sign here."
Global warming and coal's massive role in it were apparently unconsidered.
After checking with some "experts," mostly certified by the captain, everybody signed. Signed what? "Can't say: trade secrets.
"Citing a projected $990 million plant cost and no market for half the power, Highwood's prospective financier, Rural Utility Service, declined. Wall Street's 10 percent loan sharks now circled the lifeboat. Shouting, "Stay the course!" the captain cursed arithmetic, environmentalists and Henry Waxman.
YVEC jumped overboard anyway. The captain celebrated by donning a bigger hat over his first. Beartooth, shorn of capital and any marketable power contracts, raised rates 50 percent. Members squawked: the increase was cut, the interval doubled. Highwood's picture was retouched: more svelte by half, and no cigar.
Isn't it time for the lifeboat to leave? Who, besides the captain, will be aboard? Beartooth's Board? Beartooth's new manager? Brad Molnar? Scott Boggio? The rest? Not a chance: They're overboard.
Charlie Donnes
Red Lodge
Five years ago, five rural Montana electrical co-ops, including Beartooth, became convinced their mother ship, the USS Bonneville Power Administration, was sinking.
A lifeboat appeared, captained by a rather dapper gentleman, talking really fast. "I am here to save you!" called the captain, pointing to the dog picture and charts. "This puppy's 'Highwood.' He's a big'urn all right: more'n twice what you need. But that's his beauty: we'll sell the extra power to fools not as smart as us for more'n twice what it costs. 'Highwood' won't cost a penny over $440 million: a bargain at twice the price. Sign here."
Global warming and coal's massive role in it were apparently unconsidered.
After checking with some "experts," mostly certified by the captain, everybody signed. Signed what? "Can't say: trade secrets.
"Citing a projected $990 million plant cost and no market for half the power, Highwood's prospective financier, Rural Utility Service, declined. Wall Street's 10 percent loan sharks now circled the lifeboat. Shouting, "Stay the course!" the captain cursed arithmetic, environmentalists and Henry Waxman.
YVEC jumped overboard anyway. The captain celebrated by donning a bigger hat over his first. Beartooth, shorn of capital and any marketable power contracts, raised rates 50 percent. Members squawked: the increase was cut, the interval doubled. Highwood's picture was retouched: more svelte by half, and no cigar.
Isn't it time for the lifeboat to leave? Who, besides the captain, will be aboard? Beartooth's Board? Beartooth's new manager? Brad Molnar? Scott Boggio? The rest? Not a chance: They're overboard.
Charlie Donnes
Red Lodge
1 comment:
Time to call in the Navy Seal Sharpshooters! Ops, my bad...wrong story.
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