Archive for tommywonk
TommyWonk to Talk Wind Power with Progressives Dems
I have been asked to speak to the gathering of the Progressive Democrats of Delaware (PDD) tonight at 7:00. I will be talking about advocating for wind power with the General Assembly. The action group that met last month is working on a detailed plan to inform legislators on the policy basis for giving the [...]
2Jan2008 | tommywonk | 10 comments | Continued
Wonky Wednesday: Facts, Law and Public Sentiment
The News Journal story on the non-decision on wind power ended with this quote from me:
Tom Noyes, whose Tommywonk blog is widely read among Delaware environmentalists, expressed optimism the issues could be worked out.
“We’ve got the facts on our side, we’ve got the law on our side, we’ve got public sentiment on our side. [...]
Choose Wind
The Public Service Commission and three other state agencies overseeing the wind power negotiations will meet on November 20 to decide whether to continue the negotiations between Bluewater Wind and Delmarva Power. They have set a deadline of November 12 for public comments.
The proposed offshore wind power project would produce 13 percent of Delaware’s electricity. [...]
Drinking Liberally Tonight in Newark
Don’t forget that Drinking Liberally gathers tonight at 8:00 pm at the Deer Park Tavern on Main Street in Newark. Look for the liberals around the bar.
If you’d like to receive monthly alerts on this fun gathering, go here to get your name on the list.
The Elusive Laffer Curve
Yesterday, Jason linked to this item at Economist’s View on why the magic appearance of the Laffer curve in a chart highlighted in this Wall Street Journal editorial was, shall we say, less than compelling. I’ve taken the time to review the chart and come to a conclusion that won’t please some of my conservative [...]
14Jul2007 | tommywonk | Comments Off | Continued
Wonky Wednesday: When in the Course of Human Events
Over at TommyWonk, it has become a July Fourth tradition to present the text of the Declaration of Independence, which was signed 231 years ago today. You know it has been a year since you read it; so come on over and reacquaint yourself withthis altogether remarkable political document before getting on with your [...]
4Jul2007 | tommywonk | 5 comments | Continued
Drinking Liberally Tonight In Wilmington
For those who do not believe in moderation in all things: This month’s installment of Drinking Liberally is tonight, Thursday, June 28th at 8:00 pm at Kid Shelleen’s, 14th & Scott Streets in Wilmington.
28Jun2007 | tommywonk | Comments Off | Continued
Wonky Wednesday: Let’s Get Recycling Done This Week
The General Assembly has before it a bill, House Substitute 1 to House Bill 146, that would create a meaningful statewide recycling program in Delaware. A competing bill, HB 159, while not as far reaching, would still go a long way to creating the infrastructure for statewide recycling. While either would be good for Delaware, the [...]
27Jun2007 | tommywonk | 7 comments | Continued
TommyWonk to Talk Energy on WDEL Today
I’ve been invited to talk about the latest developments in the energy saga with Allan Loudell on WDEL, 1150 AM, at 12:14. As noted yesterday, Delmarva Power filed an appeal of the Public Service Commission’s decision directing the company to open negotiations to bring wind power to Delaware.
22Jun2007 | tommywonk | 2 comments | Continued
Wonky Wednesday: Rudy Skipped Out On the Iraq Study Group
Last week Rudy Giuliani put forward his twelve top priorities without mentioning Iraq. As for the country’s most urgent foreign policy problem, here’s a remarkable comment from a man who would presume to lead this country:
“Iraq may get better; Iraq may get worse. We may be successful in Iraq; we may not be. I don’t [...]
Wonky Wednesday: Profiles in Leadership
Harry Truman:
The buck stops here.
George W. Bush:
I’m the decider.
Rudy Giuliani:
We may be successful in Iraq; we may not be. I don’t know the answer to that. That’s in the hands of other people.
This from a man who aspires to be leader of the free world.
Wonky Wednesday: Jack Markell’s Running for Governor
As if there had been any doubt, Jack Markell called Democratic Party leaders today to let them know he plans to run for governor.
The News Journal, Delaware Grapevine and Alan Loudell of WDEL all have the story. Celia quotes John Carney as not saying that a primary would be a disaster:
“It will be an energetic [...]
Wonky Wednesday: Our Can’t-Do Government
Part of what distinquished the “greatest generation” that won WW II is the quality of the leadership in our national government. It’s a quality sorely lacking in the current administration.
This lament from the eerily prescient Russell Baker in 1982 is even truer today:
Can you imagine any Government of the present age getting itself in shape [...]
Wonky Wednesday: Delaware Chooses Wind
It’s doubtful that the Public Service Commission has ever generated more interest and excitement than it has with yesterday’s decision to order Delmarva Power to begin negotiating with Bluewater Wind. The PSC’s order, which should be available online tomorrow, also directs DPL to negotiate with Conectiv and NRG for a natural gas backup facility. A [...]
23May2007 | tommywonk | 2 comments | Continued
Wonky Wednesday: Whither Wind?
Next Tuesday, May 22, we should have a final determination from the Public Service Commission (PSC) in the form of a formal order, and concurrence from DNREC, OMB and the Controller General. I expect that the PSC will formally adopt its decision from last week to direct Delmarva Power to begin negotiations with Bluewater Wind [...]
16May2007 | tommywonk | 2 comments | Continued
Wonky Wednesday: Public Engagement in Shaping Delaware’s Energy Future
The big news is that the Public Service Commission (PSC) more or less adopted its staff’s recommendation that Delmarva Power be directed to begin negotiating a long term contract with Bluewater Wind and with Conectiv and/or NRG for a backup natural gas facility.
How diligent Delmarva will be in negotiating is another matter. Last week, DPL [...]
Jack Markell Writes a Letter to Delmarva Power
Jack Markell just fired off a letter to Gary Stockbridge, President of Delmarva Power, and TommyWonk has it.
4May2007 | tommywonk | 3 comments | Continued
TommyWonk Talking Energy Tonight on WDEL, 1150 AM
Allan Loudell has invited on to his show to talk about energy this evening at 5:35 on WDEL, 1150 AM. Allan being a pretty wonky guy himself, I’d better be ready with plenty of facts and figures.
Update: I just got done; Allan had me on at 5:25, not 5:35. It was fun and hopefully informative.
Wonky Wednesday: Progress on Wind Power
Two breaking developments mean that the prospect for wind power in Delaware is looking brighter. First, we have this interesting news from the PSC, via the News Journal:
Delmarva Power should contract with Bluewater Wind to build a smaller wind park than originally proposed, and Conectiv Energy to build a natural gas plant to back it [...]
Wonky Wednesday: Homework and Drinking Liberally
Blogging TommyWonk style is all about doing your homework and having fun while you’re at it.
So tonight, I’m starting into the report of the Sustainable Energy Utility (SEU) Task Force (featured in today’s News Journal). The proposed SEU would provide financing and resources to help energy consumers reduce their dependence on the grid.
Also, the Public [...]
Wonky Wednesday: What Is the Value of a Tree?
The poets might object, but economic techniques are increasingly being used to place a dollar value on trees. The blog Environmental Economics has an interesting post on placing a dollar value on NewYork City’s street trees. The city’s City Parks Department has developed a method for measuring the economic value of all the street trees [...]
18Apr2007 | tommywonk | Comments Off | Continued
Wonky Wednesday: Politics Is Not a Spectator Sport
Woody Allen has been quoted as saying, “80 percent of success is showing up.” This is particularly true in politics, and thus I am presenting two opportunities in which you can make a difference by showing up.
Delaware for Obama is organizing in Delaware, and the folks involved have asked that we help pass the word [...]
Wonky Wednesday: Latest Comments on Energy
The PSC has posted the most recent round of comments on the energy RFP. John Austin, who used to work for EPA and lives in Rehoboth Beach, has some particularly enlightening comments:
One of the many facts that has come to light in the bid review process is that the net output of the [NRG] IGCC [...]
Wonky Wednesday: Don’t Forget Drinking Liberally
For those who like their politics up close and personal, this month’s edition of Drinking Liberally takes place tomorrow night, Thursday, March 29 at Iron Hill Brewery, 710 South Madison Street on Wilmington’s waterfront.
I’ve met a number of my fellow bloggers at these gatherings, and found them as engaging in person as they are online. [...]
Wonky Wednesday: Homework Coming Due!
The Public Service Commission (PSC) is accepting comments on the three energy proposals under review through Friday, March 23, which means policy wonks are busy polishing their arguments on which energy solution would best serve the public interest.To encourage submissions to the PSC, I announced the TommyWonk Energy Essay Contest. Send me your comments, [...]
21Mar2007 | tommywonk | 3 comments | ContinuedFOLLOW DL
