PSC Hearings next Week on the Energy RFP

The Public Service Commission is holding hearings next week on the Delmarva Power RFP:

7 p.m. March 6, House Chambers, Legislative Hall, Dover
7 p.m. March 7, Delaware Technical & Community College, Owens Campus theater, Georgetown
7 p.m. March 8, Carvel State Office Building auditorium, 820 French St., Wilmington

Three proposals have been presented: NRG has proposed a coal gasification plant at its existing Indian River facility in Sussex County. Delmarva Power has proposed a natural gas plant at its current site on Hay Road in Edgemoor between northeast Wilmington and Fox Point Park. Blue Water Wind has proposed a wind turbine farm off the southern Delaware coastline.
The PSC has received and posted online numerous comments on the proposals, most of which concern NRG and Blue Water Wind. I’ve summarized comments from organizations, elected official and community leaders.
Supporting NRG:

State Sen. George Bunting
State Reps. Adkins, Booth & Hocker
Delaware State Chamber of Commerce, James Wolfe, President & CEO
Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers Local #1, Timothy Sheldon, Business Agent
Delaware Building & Construction Trades Council, Harry Gravell, President and David Walsh, Executive Director
International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and Asbestos Workers, Jeff Smith, President
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 313, Douglass K. Drummond, Business Manager
Sheet Metal Workers' International Association, Local 19, Joseph Sellers, Jr., President/Business Manager
The Millsboro Town Council has voiced its support and proposed that Millsboro's upgraded wastewater treatment plant supply the NRG plant with cooling water.

Opposing NRG:

Board of Governors, Capital Medical Society

Supporting Blue Water Wind:

Most citizens’ comments support wind power, many noting its prospective price stability.
Delaware Audubon Society, Nicholas A. DiPasquale, Conservation Chair
Citizens for Clean Power, Kit Zak
The Hon. Russell W. Peterson, citing Coastal Zone Act; "Let's run with the wind."
Citizens for a Better Sussex, Joan Deaver, President
Freida Berryhill, environmental activist
Nancy Willing, The Delaware Way
State Rep. Pam S. Maier
Unitarian Universalists of Southern Delaware, Jean Charles, President

I saw no comments specifically opposing Bluewater Wind. Likewise, Delmarva Power’s proposal has generated almost no comment, pro or con.
Other points of view:

The League of Women Voters, Christine I. Stillson and Letitia L. Diswood; concern that "the selection criteria in the RFP are not consistent with the statute…"
State Treasurer Jack Markell, raising questions about the selection criteria: "Due to the above considerations, in the upcoming re-evaluation of the RFP on December 19th, I urge the Commission and DNREC to consider: 1. Giving more points to the three main points of the EURSCA: price stability, reductions in environmental impact (especially greenhouse gas emissions), and advantages of new technology. 2. Taking a long-term view of cost-effectiveness, considering what may well be the business environment in which these facilities will operate, 3. Evaluating the bids on their effects over the life of the facilities, not just the bid contract period."
State Sen. Harris McDowell questions whether a single RFP for 400 MGW is consistent with the statute or sound energy policy; he believes that promoting energy efficiency is the best policy option.
Allan Muller, Green Delaware; requesting that all documents be made available to the public.

The PSC has posted all comments and the heavily redacted proposals.