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Last Updated: Feb 13, 2017 - 1:45:37 AM |
 (Statement) The comments made by BEC Chairman Leslie Miller in response to The Democratic National Alliance’s Clean Energy Project (CEP) were far from surprising. His very public bouts with “foot in mouth disease” have over the course of many years, become the foundation upon which his political career has been built. These recent comments however expose a new level of hypocrisy. While consistently touting his commitment to lowering the cost of electricity Leslie Miller has done nothing but offer halfhearted apologies for the countless blackouts which Bahamians have had to endure over the past several months. Now with the peak summer months ahead of us, residents here in the capital are DREADING the usual lackluster performance of BEC in meeting the electricity demand.
Having been presented with countless international examples of the feasibility and successes of similar plans, Leslie Miller’s haste to condemn the DNA’s plans for energy reform in the Bahamas prove without a shadow of a doubt that neither Miller nor the administration of which he is a part is serious about lowering the cost of electricity for struggling Bahamian families. His comments, in the wake of his continued promise of energy cost reductions, WREAK OF HYPROCRISY and reveal his complicity with other parties who benefit from as a result of the outrageous energy costs.
The DNA’s Clean Energy Project seeks to reduce the cost per kilowatt hour in the Bahamas to the lowest in the region. It will also allow for the self-generation of electricity for home owners and business owners who will then be able to resell electricity to the grid and, through the use of submarine cables, secure the immediate benefits of a lower energy costs for residents in this country.
The project also outlines the DNA’s commitment to the establishment of the industry of renewable energy. Through the use of solar, waste and wind technologies, the plan provides for the expansion of the country’s energy generating capacity which will in the long and short term provide generation to cover up to 30% of the country’s overall power consumption needs.
As a country, which exists within the hurricane belt, the DNA is not oblivious to the concerns this may raise. The CEP takes such issues into consideration. Our plan does not simply disregard the country’s current electrical infrastructure but rather makes allowance for our current system of generators to be used as backup supply in the event of a Natural Disaster in the US which may interrupt service supply. Unlike the current model however these generators will not use expensive and environmentally harmful bunker c fuels. Instead cleaner more efficient Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) or Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) will be used to ensure that Bahamians are not left in the dark.
Miller’s lament about the 1 billion dollars which we propose in energy reform spending comes as the government of which he is a part insists on spending millions to fund Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival. His cavalier dismissal of the plan without so much as an alternative option to our current situation is not only hypocritical but irresponsible as well. Rather than actually working along with the government, and the management and staff at BEC, Miller has done nothing but destroy the morale of those under his charge all the while owing the corporation which he heads THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS for electricity at his own properties!
The reality is that Miller’s failure as chairman to oversee and manage the corporation in a way that stems the hemorrhaging of funds from BEC and from the pockets of consumers is the ONLY ineptitude which exists. If Miller is unable to deliver on the reduction in electricity costs which both he and the Christie Administration promised then he should be REMOVED as chairman.
Hardworking Bahamian families and business owners can no longer bear the burden of exorbitant energy costs. It’s time for Miller and this PLP government to PUT UP or SHUT UP when it comes to energy reform.
Christopher Mortimer
DNA Deputy Leader
© Copyright 2015 by thebahamasweekly.com
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