What is dangerous about Wisconsin's Budget Repair Bill: Governor Walker's hidden "energy control" agenda

The Budget Repair Bill now being protested in Wisconsin could have far reaching implications. On the face of it, many major media organizations have reported that the Bill regards teacher and union rights. Upon closer observation, however, management and ownership of energy contracts are in question as well as property costs.

This bill regards more than just changes to collective bargaining but could provide a precedence framework for energy and health policies in other states. That is a good reason why all of us should pay close attention to this Bill and the hidden debate.

Go to http://legis.wisconsin.gov/2011/data/JR1SB-11.pdf and read page 6: "Other State Governments" and "Health and Human Services." Below is an excerpt:

"Currently, this state owns and operates numerous heating, cooling, and power plants that were constructed by the state to provide heating, cooling, and power to state facilities. The Department of Administration (DOA) determines the method of operation of these plants and may delegate this authority to any other state agency that has managing authority for a plant.

This bill permits DOA to sell or contract for the operation of any such plant. The bill exempts such sales and contracts from the requirement for approval of the Public Service Commission (PSC) that may otherwise apply under current law. The bill provides that the net proceeds of any sale, after retirement of any outstanding state debt and any necessary repayment of federal financial assistance, is deposited in the budget stabilization fund. The bill also allows DOA, at any time, to petition the PSC to regulate as a public utility any person who purchases or contracts for the operation of any plant under the bill. Under current law, the PSC has regulatory authority over public utilities, including the authority to set rates for utility service."

According to Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_power_stations_in_Wisconsin) there are 30 power stations in Wisconsin: nuclear - 3, coal-fired - 13, gas-fired - 12, wind farms - 2.

For a video on this issue, go to MSNBC: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3096434/#41749218

Posted with assistance from Robert L. McCoy, Jr, Chief System Engineer
©2011 Tomi Johnson. All rights reserved.