Why any person in this town would support sequestration as it is currently presented to us is beyond me.
All technologies bring along attendant risks. This is an undeniable fact, as thousands of years of experience show us. This does not mean that all technologies should be shunned because of the risks -- as the Luddites would have claimed -- but that a cost/benefit analysis should be executed, and then a decision reached from there.
In the project as it is currently proposed, citizens assume all the risks, and the Andersons will reap all the benefits. I'm not sure whether or not I would agree to accept the sorts of risks we might be assuming in exchange for the municipality sharing in the profits that are sure to come to the Andersons selling carbon credits on the open market (as is almost sure to happen if all goes well with the experiment).
But in the absence of an offer to the municipality to share in those potential profits, the willingness of some of the "reluctant" conservative capitalists around these parts to welcome this project with open arms looks a lot like bending over a barrel.
And by the way, to these reluctant citizens who support the sequestration project who are afraid of the vocal opposition, might I recommend growing a pair?
In short, after a thorough examination of all the potential threats and their probabilities, if the dangers are not likely, show us the money and we will gladly let you stuff all of your CO2 under our feet. It's the American Way!
How about if they pay for Greenville EMS they can go ahead, that should kill two birds, so to speak...
ReplyDeleteInstead of being straight up silly and panicky about this whole thing, I don't know why no one has worked on making it so the city receives money from the project regardless of any deals made at the bargaining tables.
My first thought was why not tax industrial excavation beyond 100 ft or so, that won't effect regular industrial projects except maybe gravel pits, and would mean there could be a charge per foot. If the plan is supposedly about 4000 ft down, then a $12 tax per foot would gross about $48,000 immediately. If they plan to use mass quantities of water, then create an excess water tax. Conveniently worded that could gross many thousands of dollars...
As far as people who are for it, it think its just a matter of people who aren't against it, if they really don't care what happens, then why are they going to waste the time making a big deal about their indifference?
Like you said yourself, if they offer some money, then there will probably be a whole range of people who think it should go ahead...
I personally think we should wait and work on a deal, rather than try and run them off, without seeing what we can get from it. I think it is a good opportunity for the city/county to get some of the money it needs for its little projects.
Hear, Hear! A rational common-sense analysis. I would differ only on one small point: that Battelle, Marathon and DOE have exhibited to be our biggest enemies. As for Andersons, so far it is guilt by association.
ReplyDeleteWell, color me confused ... as I had myself convinced that Ferd Lemmings was Jim Surber.
ReplyDeleteOr maybe Ferd is just agreeing with himself?
Just a reminder to everyone, just because somebody signs a particular name doesn't mean it's that person (although the comments above seem to be from the genuine JS).
Jim Surber, I am not, though I would not complain had I been born Jim Surber instead of me: nice guy, good family, solid mind.
ReplyDeleteI am Ferd Lemmings! Hear me roar!
[rawr!]
Third person patronizing, how original...
ReplyDeleteI hope you know that this is not about getting money it is about the health and safety of our community... How can you put a price on that?
I don't care how much money the county stands to make... They'd probably just squander it on something silly anyway...
I cannot believe you would even suggest that the people of the county or even people of our great nation have morals of "ladies of the night"... Willing to do anything for money...
Beyond all that---I can't believe the Chair of the Darke County Democrat Party is disagreeing with his leaders in Washington DC. !!!!!
ReplyDeleteI cannot believe you would even suggest that the people of the county or even people of the United States of Advertising care about much of anything besides profit and the bottom line... Willing to do anything as long as it's for money.
ReplyDeleteEmpty patriotic grandstanding... how original.
That just shows that Surber has a mind of his own. He leads by example on running a tight budget, something both parties can learn from.
ReplyDeleteI am not for the project as it stands, nor would I be if anything was changed but here is a thought -- we could all move to Florida where the State will not allow any CO2 sequestration in the State.
ReplyDeleteReading the Dayton Paper today, they are touting the great aquifers in southwest Ohio, maybe someone should point out to them and Miami County what is about to happen to the great aquifers if this is allowed to continue.
ReplyDeleteA mind of his own?!?!
ReplyDeleteHe wasn't elected to think and make decisions based on what he wants, he was elected to represent the cares, concerns, and values of his constituency in engineering matters...
He might keep a tight budget, but it's at the expense of quality work... Chip and seal (poor man's paving) is such as waste of money to me, not to add finding tar spots and rock chips in my car's paint from that stuff makes me so angry...
Uhh ... I meant that he doesn't automatically tow the democratic party line on every issue. I can't comment on the second point, but I will say I've never heard those criticisms before
ReplyDeleteTo Mr. Anonymous-9:34 PM
ReplyDeleteSince you have irresponsibly accused me of poor quality work in the form of chip and seal (which you call "poor man's paving"); I challenge you to name those roads that the County has performed this work on. I will be eagerly awaiting your response.
Yes! Tell us which roads you're talking about.
ReplyDeleteTo DarkeJournal---it is "toe" not "tow". One means stand on a certain line and the other means to pull along.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, isn't the topic of conversation getting changed?
Ha! I actually stopped to consider whether it was "toe" or "tow." I was going to type it in to grammar check, but then figured nobody'd ever call me out in the comment section. Wrong again! Read me for context in the comment section ... ;)
ReplyDeleteWell unfortunately I do not have a list of the projects that you will take credit for, as "roads the county has preformed work on", but there are plenty of "roads in the county which it has been preformed on", whether that be in the form resurfacing or patches... Just the same as I'm sure you'll blame the township that my ditch floods when it rains because no one cleaned the receiver further down the road, let alone made sure it was in the lowest part of the ditch... That one doesn't take an engineering degree...
ReplyDeleteCO2 geologic sequestration is not the optimal solution to the problem of excessive CO2 in the atmosphere. The best solutions would be (a) restrictions on the production of CO2 and (b)reforestation of the planet. Neither of these is likely to happen soon because neither businesses nor individuals are willing to change. Invest in wind power? Invest in solar? That would cost money that no one is willing to spend. Cap and trade is designed to give business an incentive to reduce the overall level CO2 in the atmosphere. Looks like sequestration is the best option for now.
ReplyDeleteTo: Anonymous 9:09 PM,
ReplyDeleteYou don't have to provide a list of projects. Just give me the name of one County Road that has been chip & sealed to your ultimate displeasure. My department is responsible for 519 miles of rural roads out of the 1319 miles in the County. I will take full responsibility for those 519 miles. So far, you have not responded so that I can determine if your complaint is on this 519 miles. If it is not, you should have no complaint with me. If the road happens to be under Township or State jurisdiction, then perhaps you will champion a tax increase for that entity to avoid future or additional "tar spots and rock chips" on your precious vehicle.
Well, one I know of that is a county road, is Frazers road, that has been a few years back.
ReplyDeleteSt Rt 503 was done not too long ago, St Rt 722 has patches of the stuff. Darke-Preble county line road was patched with it recently. I'm sure I can think of some other places next time I am out and about...
"My precious vehicle" I think everyone will agree that a vehicle is a major investment and it is your best interest to keep it in good condition... Rock chips leads to exposed metal, leads to rust...That of course leads to lower resale values no matter how well mechanically maintained... It is silly to not be concerned about the state of its body work. But then again I care about keeping my things nice, whether that be my car, house, lawn, or anything else I own because those things are an extension of my self... If you don't feel those things are worth keeping nice, well that's your prerogative, but to me it conveys laziness and wastefulness, as an ounce of prevention is cheaper than a pound of cure...
Hmmm ... I've driven all the county roads, and I've noticed some rough spots on some of the township roads. And then the City always seems to have some patching going on. But I have to say I just don't agree with the anonymous commenter above. I just can't recall much difficulty with state or county roads. I'm open to the discussion, but I just don't agree with the criticism of the engineer's office.
ReplyDeleteMy precious vehicle=Major investment
ReplyDeleteInvestment=money that is invested with an expectation of profit
This man has found a vehicle that gains value over time. The only way that is possible if it falls under cash for clunker.
So your saying you don't care if your care retains its value? I wish I could afford to just throw my car away not caring if the trade-in value is good or bad...
ReplyDeleteOh and by the way, investment includes opportunity cost in my book, a well maintained car gets me to work reliably so that I can make money to pay the bills and hopefully profit...
And if you don't want to accept, that then tell people at classic auto auctions that the value of their car hasn't gone up since it was new... You would be hard pressed to find a 69 camaro for less than its original sticker price of about $3700...
How did a discussion of CO2 sequestration devolve into car talk? Must be a bunch of guys posting.
ReplyDeleteHow funny!!!! I am with you - can't we just stay "on point"?
ReplyDelete