St. Maarten Private Eye - Energy and Water

Climate Change Roundup - The stakes are too high

Fri, 21 Nov 2008 18:46:10 -0800

There are still a few stragglers out there who keep clinging to the belief Climate Change is a hoax, a plot by liberals and caused by natural cycles of the planet. It doesn't matter to them that the scientific community, data and evidence are almost conclusively against them. Thankfully for us all, there is a new incoming president of the US who does trust in science, data and rational thinking.

"My presidency will mark a new chapter in America’s leadership on climate change that will strengthen our security and create millions of new jobs in the process."

"And once I take office, you can be sure that the United States will once again engage vigorously in these negotiations, and help lead the world toward a new era of global cooperation on climate change. Now is the time to confront this challenge once and for all. Delay is no longer an option. Denial is no longer an acceptable response. The stakes are too high. The consequences, too serious."

Obama's speech to the Governors Global Climate Summit.

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Hola from Barcelona IUCN Congress

Mon, 06 Oct 2008 05:56:36 -0700

As a result of a family health situation I am currently in Barcelona, Spain. Unknown to me before planning my trip was that the IUCN Congress would be held here at the same time, I am now writing from the Media Room at the Conference Center.

The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) is the world’s oldest and largest global environmental network - a democratic membership union with more than 1,000 government and NGO member organizations, and almost 11,000 volunteer scientists in more than 160 countries. The Congress, held every 4 years, is huge, over 8000 people are attending and there are over 900 events, workshops, forums, presentations and more over the next 4 days.

I'm not officially representing any SXM NGO, but those who read here know that my interest is mainly on the environment and Climate Change. I will be trying to attend anything that I think may be beneficial to my writing knowledge, our island's NGO's and I will try to write something here daily. Please visit the IUCN Congress Website and feel free to make recommendations or ask questions.

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GEBE - Are you being Served?

Mon, 27 Oct 2008 07:25:32 -0700

Although I haven't written about it in a while, Climate Change continues as it will for the rest of our lives and the lives of our children, you can now traverse the Arctic Ice Cap for the first time in recorded human history. While the rest of the World is growing more and more aware and active in finding solutions and alternative energy sources, we here is St. Maarten are stuck in the Oil Age.

Is GEBE really serving the people of this island by ensuring we remain completely dependent on oil for our electricity? Are they really serving the people by giving back a few cents now and then (not really) instead of taking that extra cash flow and investing it in the future and alternative energy projects and plans? A few cents now might keep a few people happier and quiet, but we will see the real complaints when the s**t really hits the fan.

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The Economy, Energy and Development

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 05:11:42 -0700

It was just over a year ago that I wrote a blog about the SXM condo market being past it's prime. Less than two weeks afterwards the island's Economic Affairs Dept reported a positive assessment of the real estate market with a nice big bold headline. Remarkable coincidence eh?

Just like in the US, where Dubya and McSame are trying to convince the public that everything is just fine and that really, it's mainly psychological and people whinging, if only people would think positive then things would look better, we have the same here. Only problem is, the facts keep intruding.

SXM economy to be stable next 2 years - 24th May 2008

Maria: Island's economy successful and resilient - 25th March 2008

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Climate Change and World Resources - Update

Fri, 01 Aug 2008 16:53:48 -0700

It's been a while since I wrote a blog rounding up the news on Climate Change and I had tons of links saved up in my bookmarks, it was time to clear them out.

Below you will find a selection of news and video links that I think are well worth checking out, I've added many more to the SXM PE Global Warming / Global Resources Thread. i don't time to write much about them now, but I think most of them speak for themselves anyway. Feel free to add your own links and comments below.

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GEBE & Geothermal energy

Sun, 22 Jun 2008 04:13:24 -0700

From West Indies Power Holding BV

"Geothermal Power is the use of super heated hot water and steam located in the Earth (Geothermal Resources) which are extracted by specially designed wells (Well field) and allowed to convert to steam when it reaches the surface. That steam is then collected in pipes (Gathering System) and sent to a geothermal steam turbine which uses the steam to generate electricity (Power Plant)."

Let me start by stating that I am not in any way affiliated with West Indies Power Holding BV or do I seek to do so. I am an objective observer and a consumer of GEBE electricity and am of the opinion that GEBE is currently overcharging their customers and do little (nothing) to seek ways of reducing the price of electricity.

From recent reports in The Daily Herald, one can gather that local energy and water supplying company GEBE has been made an offer by Nevis based West Indies Power to buy geothermal derived energy (= clean energy) but up to this point (June 19th, 2008) GEBE has not responded to their offer of buying clean energy from them.

Why, you ask. Please read on.

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Enviro Week - EWE - 4-8 June 2008

Tue, 10 Jun 2008 19:42:23 -0700

Imagine... a park full of green products and services that will help St. Maarten become a bit more of a nature friendly island and a more livable island for the younger generation. With our eco-expo we make it a reality and you can even participate with your green products or services.

A solar cooker contest, a car that runs on water (French Lycee), a car that runs on biofuel, local biological food, green cleaning products, wood crafting, local natural art, solar heaters, water saving and energy saving products, water from air and a raffle. There will also be workshops in between with related to agriculture, solar power, energy and water saving and some interesting keynote speakers. Details, updates and press releases below.

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Planning for the Future

Fri, 23 May 2008 08:18:00 -0700

A few years ago the Federal government jacked up gas prices and taxes and caused the French side to find new suppliers. The last Texaco in Marigot has now closed it's doors and Artsen Shell appears to be hanging on by the skin of it's teeth. The Dutch side stations all suffered and if I recall correctly, the taxes had to be reduced so they could compete a little better and keep their doors open.

Our economic affairs department and private sector have been unable to offer up any ideas to ease the burden of recent food and oil prices on the public and I have yet to see an indication that any of them really comprehend that the problems of today are nothing compared to the problems that are coming. It's not about 'tightening our belts' and 'weathering the storm', it's about the need for a fundamental change in how we live, think and consume, times are a changing and there will be no choice. The Growth and Consume Party is starting to wind down my friends and St. Maarten needs to prepare for a knockout hangover.

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GEBE, EcoFest and Climate Change

Mon, 14 Apr 2008 01:57:50 -0700

Island Vision long ago lost my respect and I don't plan to be sending in nominations this year for their enviro awards, I just can't be bothered, sorry. It's not that I can't think of people to nominate, the usual crowd spring to mind along with a few newcomers like Laura Bijnsdorp and her team. There are people out there who deserve to be recognized for sure.

It's not the lack of transparency with the nominations or votes, nor is it the plagiarizing. No, it's more to do with the people he invites to present awards and make speeches, it's partly to do with Stephane's desire to 'be Someone" and his enabling politicians, officials and businesses to fraudulently portray an environmental image when they have none. I cringe and feel ill just being in the same room as some of the people he invites. No thanks.

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'Political Football' 101

Mon, 14 Apr 2008 00:31:50 -0700

When it comes to smoking up the an issue and rewriting history, Roy Marlin is the boss. In an article this past week reporting the 'official' opening of Air-Fin's water plant in Cupecoy, he had me in tears with tales of his sleepless nights during his fight to award them the contract and save St. Maarten from having dry taps. According to Roy, he is not to blame for months of shortages and the huge financial losses incurred by GEBE from purchasing water from the French Side, it was the opposition's fault for demanding transparency and asking questions.

Poor Roy, suddenly overwhelmed by an urgent situation that no one could have seen coming, not even the Commissioner signing off on all the development that contributed greatly to that urgency and whom had also been in charge of GEBE for many years preceding the shortage. And then, having to suffer the public and their elected representatives asking questions and wanting details about the urgent deals he was having to make on our behalf. Honestly, there were tears!

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Climate Change Roundup - 25th February 2008

Mon, 25 Feb 2008 18:06:08 -0800

It's been a while I know, maybe some thought because I hadn't written a blog about it in a while that the issue had gone away, sadly I have to report negative to that thought. Climate Change is still with us, it''s going to be with us for the rest of our lives, and our children's lives too. How our grand children are going to do is anyone's guess right now, I think it's quite sure to be a different World than you reading this have grown up in.

The problem now is that Climate Change news is common, most people like myself who have been paying attention to the issue are resigned to the inevitability of it, it's happening now and it's going to get a lot worse before it gets better. It's no longer a question of stopping it, it's too late, the only questions and challenges now are if we can slow it down and reverse it before it sets off a chain reaction that is unstoppable.

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Running Water, Lousy Reporter

Thu, 28 Feb 2008 09:25:52 -0800

An article on page 3 of Thursday's DH deserves a mention I think, unfortunately it's not on their website and I am unable to scan, so you'll just have to take my word for what it says.

The article was about Air-Fin's, (sounds more like an airline of Finland than a water company), 'imminent' take over of the plant in Cay Bay and is based on what Roy Marlin told the press on Wednesday. "Told the press" are the key words here because, as we all know, our island's intrepid reporters rarely ask questions that may make our commissioners uncomfortable or upset. It's much more amiable and safer not to rock the boat.

Update -
Air-Fin finalizing plans to take over water plant - 14th February 2008

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Why you have no water. - The DH explains.

Sun, 16 Dec 2007 01:10:48 -0800

Thanks to the Daily Herald, we now know why we have a water shortage.

The island’s water shortage could be traced to a power outage that shut down the water production plant for several hours in November. Nearly empty water tanks were drained by residents in that period and when the plant became operational again the demand for water was so great there was no surplus to be pumped into the tanks. Compounding the problem was little or no rainfall in November that led to dry cisterns.

And there was I thinking it was because of mismangement and poor planning by Roy and our govt. Silly me.

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Water Woes

Fri, 30 Nov 2007 03:36:56 -0800

I know that the writers of this site hit on Roy a fair bit, but let´s face it, he deserves it. It´s been two years since he announced that companies were being sought to increase supply and it still hasn´t happened. Roy and the Exco decided in May to give the contract to Air-Fin to build a new plant in the Lowlands and at the same time denigrated GEBE by stating they are not capable of the job despite thier wishes to do so.
Roy´s excuses about the current shortage being the result of Aquadesign closing it plant and the start of the tourist season is laughable, if only having no water was a laughing matter. As always, and I stress that this is my opinion, Roy is again spinning and casting a smoke screen to mask his incompetance and mismangement of our water supplies.

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