He was an exceptional person. A gifted intellect for sure; irascible and argumentative, too. What endeared him to many was not just that he was analytical and insightful, but that he was honest and forthright. He was a public policy wonk; resource policy interested him most. He loved to travel and read; people, with something to say, were always important.
Government’s handling of World Energy GH2’s wind power project on the Port au Port Peninsula contains the elements of scandal. This is a public policy catastrophe, one to which critical and costly issues remain either poorly understood or unexplained.
Nevertheless, Mr. Paddick, a friend and confident of the Premier, is now in an official capacity with the Government of NL and, therefore, is in a position of influence with both politicians and officials at the highest level.
Williams’ public policy and private sector experience is limited; her former employer, Newfoundland Power, is a “regulated” entity. As such, it is not exposed to competition. When profit is effectively “awarded” by the PUB, “risk” is not a word that gets much exercise. Construction outcomes especially suffer within the paradigm of OPM (other people’s money).
Labatt is being assisted on a much more generous scale than the public. If Labatt received subsidy proportional to the GHG reduction in the EV scenario, their minor project would net them a 3% subsidy.
By many measures, Canada is one of the absolute worst emitters among advanced industrialized countries and this province is among the worst in Canada. Time for an honest look in the mirror.