Energy Minister Rayburn Blackmoore is to lead a team of Dominicans on a special visit to the Bouillant Geothermal Plant in Guadeloupe on Thursday January 17, 2013.
The team will comprise residents of the Roseau Valley, other interested parties as well as members of the local media.
Blackmoore told a press conference earlier this week that the visit is intended to give members of the team a better understanding of geothermal operations in Guadeloupe.
He says more importantly the visit will seek to convince the team that geothermal plants can in fact operate with minimal impact on the environment.
“What we are going to do is to afford the people of Laudat, members of the media and other interested parties to see for themselves how a plant located in close proximity to where people live can operate in an environmentally friendly way,” the minister said.
The planned visit to the Bouillant Geothermal plant in Guadeloupe is one of several efforts by Government to include all stakeholders in the process of developing Dominica’s Geothermal Energy.
Blackmoore emphasized that Government will not be deterred by opposing voices to the project.
He said the Labor Party Government is convinced that geothermal energy will provide a cleaner and cheaper energy source for the people of Dominica.
“We believe that the greatest legacy that the Roosevelt Skerrit administration can leave for the people of Dominica is one of energy independence,” he said.
Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 9 Thumb down 4 Francisco Telemaque January 11, 2013
“Geothermal energy is a secondary source of energy, I do not see why we Dominicans have to become the laughing joke of the world: what expedition we have to take to Guadeloupe to see this and that.
You know there are people in our country who like to object to everything they read or hear!
Now here I am professionally an electronic/electrical engineer among other things; I wrote something concerning the concept of geothermal energy, I wrote two pieces, without going into too much detail. Nonetheless on this particular piece as quoted above, four people decided to give me the thumbs down.
I do not have the opportunity to ask them why, what is it they read in the simple things I said which warrants a thumb down?
My view is always this: If I am going to refute a person comment I must be in a position to offer something better, so to the people I say if you know the subject relating to geothermal energy better than I do, please come forward use your name and fire away with what you know better than I know on the subject.
Here is my professional background:
Electronic Engineer
Electrical Engineer
I also have a medical background, even though I do not have a medical degree, however for the information of you four idiots I maintain two separate degrees in the disciplines mentioned above, and two secondary including one in the Liberal Arts, so if you have what I got and knows more about geothermal energy more than I; let’s see what you have; state it in writing, and not simply your thumbs down!
Francisco Etienne-Doods Telemaque
Well, you all going on a govt. sponsored trip.Make sure your eyes still open after the entertainment and shopping. If you are good you may even get a souvenir. Have a good time.
Hello I am Mr. Goat… they say we foolish but my God if your government trying to improve the supply of energy for your country by exploring geothermal energy, you should be happy. that source of energy is renewable unlike what some people are saying. Unlike the countries that uses fossil fuels which are not renewable. any way the choice is yours its either you embrace geothermal or continue to pay petroleum products… you guys must decide… but if it was me i will go with GEOTHERMAL
Hey Cabwit, you never heard of hydro-power!? There are alternatives you know.
Here we go again as expected, stopping the development process as usual.. de people doh want it. Blackmore should just forget the idea ’cause it aint going nowhere.
So what happen to Hydro??
What’s so bad about hydro to develope it to the fullest. Geothermal energy is also great and Hope the gov’t put policies in place to guide all this stuff.
Energy independence? For Domlec? For the Dominican people? Who’s gonna reap the benefits?
The barbados company, who else.
Really Really tax payers money have to pay for blackmore visit with his friends to Guada. Come on we all know that is not necessary!!!!
Dam it Dom Dom nicans what u all want again. You want development yet dont want to touch our precious land. Something really wrong with us..
So a team of residents needs to visit guada to be reassured!! Waoooo reallly !!1 Doom Doom nation yet the labour administration saying no one will deter from going ahead. So why waste tax payers money and send these fools to guada. Oh i guess is labourites wanting a trip. Everything comes to an end.
Personally, I believe we as Dominican need to make a choice. Either we want to be the unspoilt Nature Island of the Caribbean or we have factories. Any factory is bad for the environment. Inform yourself and CHOOSE.
If we want unspoilt, “Dominica still recognizable by Columbus” nature, then we have to go with industries that have minimal environmental impact. ANYTHING you do, higher construction, opening more schools, increasing population, building technology centers, building sports facilities will have environmental impact. Educate yourself on which industries have minimal impact and CHOOSE.
After you have chosen, stop arguing, start cooperating and take ACTION to get it done.
Minister of Energy for geothermal, but not for Petro Caribe? Those other energy resources under the control of the Minister of Housing. Have Dominicans ever asked themselves why? All matters dealing with Housing check Minister/Ministry of Housing. Strangely, fuel and cooking gas from Petro Caribe not under Minister/Ministry of Energy.
With Petro Caribe set up here, are your electricity bills lower? Do you pay less for fuel at the pumps? How much money does Govt., Dominicans all, owe Petro Caribe? That is why citizens do not trust those who lie to them most of the time.
Is the Asphalt Plant, which is belching cancer-causing fumes on the poor villagers of layou and surroundings, still there? Didn’t Govt. and planning tell Dominicans that the Asphalt plant would be removed after about 18 months? Didn’t Layou villagers protest genuinely about their healt concerns? WEho listened? Instead, Planning Division, Govt. sided with the Big French businessman. Layou villagers were cast aside.
If Guadeloupe already operates a Geothermal Plant producing cheap energy, what is the arrangement/rational for wanting to sell geothermal energy to that French Island?
Was the Aerial Tram project halted/closed down because of the close proximity of that geothermal operation?
What about a trip to Guadeloupe paid by tax-payers. Butter around cats mouth. Waste of money. One does not have to be in Guadeloupe physically to see and understand the geothermal operation in GuadeLoupe? Do those incompetent politicians recognize the importance and use of modern communication technology and save the country that sum of money? That money could help improve natural sites and/or improve the operations of the vendors, farmers in the community.
This is a very good question, which is easy to explain. In 2005 the Minister for Housing was appointed to the Board of PDV Caribe (Dominica) Ltd., majority owned by Venezuela. At the same time he was also made the Manager of Govt. owned company Dominica National Petroleum Company Ltd., which in turn owns 45% of the afore mentioned company PDV Caribe (Dominica) ltd. and shares its profits accordingly. It would be normal for him to be remunerated for these posts and I do not think he would be in a hurry to relinquish either.
Readers/commentators should read the policy statement issued by the sierra Club of Hawaii on August 2012 on”Geothermal Energy Policy” available on: http://www.sierraclubhawaii.com/geothermal-energy-policy.php;which emphasises that the developers of the important geothermal energy resource must engage the public in ‘an inclusive open and transparent process that fully discloses the potential benefits,risksand proposed mitigation of all activities associated with developement and use of the resource’.
The Sierra Club which supports the diversification of the islands energy options and the careful utilzation of all local resource urged,inter alia:(1)the use of directional drilling and other technologies that minimizes surface disturbance of resource production areas;(2)the containment of geothermal steam and brines and accompanying gases and chemical components should be within enclosed production systems;(3)the developement of site-specific emergency response plans with full input from the community and civil defence personnel;(4)the gathering and public disclosure of pre-developement baseline data and monitoring of environmental impacts and cumulative effects, to include real-time emissions monitoring data data available to the public.Monitoring sensors should be placed in accordance with good environment practice,with strong community input.
I commend these recommendation for the consideration of the Government of Dominica and the residents of the communities of Laudat, Trafalgar, Watten Waven, Fond Cani,Casso, Copt Hall,Savanne Park(Louis Ville) and Morne Prosper.”Toe presee pa ka faire jour overt”.
With a population of under 100k, there is absolutely no need for all that digging and drilling necessary for “Geothermal Energy”. No heavy industry here…so what’s the big deal? DA needs a couple wind turbines on the Windward side and small solar farms on the West Coast….instead, is a thing that start and looks like never going to finish…
One of our major concerns has to be the fact that should the wells be dug and the plants set up and subsequent to that we have a blow out, what will be the consequences taking into consideration the height above sea level at which they are operating. If we have a blow out, the people of the valley will not have much time to get out of the way of whatever comes out of that explosion. We must check, HOW MANY GEOTHERMAL PLANTS HAVE BEEN BUILT ON MOUNTAIN TOPS? ARE THEY NORMALLY BUILT AT LOW LEVELS IN RELATION TO SEA LEVEL? This is just an observation………. I have no idea what the truth is in this regard but I do feel that the height of the proposed plants is considerable in regard to safety in the valley and in the city of Roseau.
What took him so long? Cart before horse never a good idea, but good move, which should have been done in 2010 given the cronology of events. Hope he learns that people need to be informed whatever form the info comes in.
Geothermal is good, never mind the sizemic conceerns stuff, it’s a volcanic island anyway.
Well done, Hon. Blackmore!
Geothermal energy if generated with precautionary measures will be a God bless for the island’s struggling economy. Also we should not minimize the dangers and risks due to the deadly gasses that exist in the volcanic veins below the crust of the earth. It’s good that the residents get an on site knowledge and feedback from those who live in close proximity of a geothermal plant. I do not believe that anyone on the island is or will be against such a major project that can have positive impact on his/her wallet, once the interests and safety of the concerned residents are taken into consideration. This not political, and should not be. It’s going to be a win win deal for everyone if it’s done safely. So let us pray that the subject matter experts in the field will utilize the technology to ensure that the project is a success with “SAFETY FIRST”. Concerned residents need all the info on the pros and cons of such a project.
Please read these basic advantages and disadvantages as a guide for making a decision. Is it worth it or are the risks insignificant?
Advantages:
Geothermal energy cost is extremely low compared to many other energy sources.
• It has low pollution compared to fossil fuels and nuclear energy.
• Geothermal energy is a renewable energy source.
• Almost no environmental impact when using geothermal heat from nuclear decay.
• Geothermal heat pump systems can reduce your energy use storing heat from the summer/sun and makes use of it in the night and winter. Low maintenance systems.
Disadvantages:
• The most important disadvantage is absolutely the geological problem. The heat source is mostly close to volcanic activity of some sort.
• Chemicals are byproducts of the production electricity with hot ground water. Some geothermal plants use a lot of water and it needs to go somewhere its after use. Some of the polluting chemicals in that water and steam are sulfur, mercury, hydrogen sulfide, arsenic, ammonia.
• Earth is a changing creature. A drilled hole in the ground could supply thousands of homes heat and one earthquake could change that in a second. It can also change gradually over time.
• Location, location, location. That is certainly true of geothermal energy. It cannot be transported over vast distances. If used to heat up houses or for hot tap water it is only the quality of the pipe that delivers the water that determines how far it can go and if it will be of any use when it arrives. If the heat is used for electrical production it helps to have plants close so the energy loss is not too great.
You are not exactly sure what you are talking about!!!
Dominicans, we have to give a little to get a little. I pray that this ends up in a win/win sitution.
Silver and gold have we none, and the copper that may be there is too dangerous to mine. So if we can develop geothermal energy without too much difficulties that may be the way to go.
At this stageof thie country’s development, energy self sufficiency is a very desirable thing. I trust I will be able to afford to iron my clothes again. LONG AFTER THIS GOVERNMENT HAS GONE ABOUT ITS BUSINESS we will have our energy and not be dependent on foreign Uncles and Papas.
Perhaps the people affected should be offered shares in the business.
Who does not want a safe geothermal plant in Dominica?
However, consideration must be given to the fragile ecosystem which exists in the Roseau Valley and the threats a geothermal plant may pose. The advantages of a geothermal plant far outweigh the disadvantages, but there are some significant disadvantages which the government of Dominica must consider.
There is always a danger of eruption of volcano.
It may release some harmful, poisonous gases that can escape through the holes drilled during construction.
One cause for careful consideration with EGS is the possibility of induced seismic activity that might occur from hot dry rock drilling and development. This risk is similar to that associated with hydraulic fracturing, an increasingly used method of oil and gas drilling, and with carbon dioxide capture and storage in deep saline aquifers. Though a potentially serious concern, the risk of an induced EGS-related seismic event that can be felt by the surrounding population or that might cause significant damage currently appears very low when projects are located an appropriate distance away from major fault lines and properly monitored. Appropriate site selection, assessment and monitoring of rock fracturing and seismic activity during and after construction, and open and transparent communication with local communities are also critical.
These are the comments from the experts, so no trip to Guadeloupe and substitute the legitimate concerns of the Roseau Valley residents.
The Roseau Valley is presently served with one main road, is consideration given to an alternate route to evacuate the area?
Those who think that the above comments are political, then let it be, but I live in the Roseau Valley and I have a legitimate interest.
That is a good idea as I have personally visited the facility. It would seem that we have developed a culture of opposing and fighting against without no real understanding of the issue at hand and everything is political as to whom I support and even if it is a good venture, won’t support because it is not the party that I support that is in power. One needs to understand what is geothermal or ask even what this is before making themselves act foolishly. Those as I have said who aim to create mountains out of molehills, you will answer since those of us who are more educated should not prey on the ignorant minds. Why don’t we educate them instead?
You made your decision after you educated yourself about the plant dont you believe it should be the very same for everyone concern why politic should be a part of how a person analyse issues.I ask you why wasnt the folks be told before hand that GOVT would need to take some of there land why keep that undercover I would suggest you put yourself in their place and ask yourself what would you do
mm: “I ask you why wasnt the folks be told before hand that GOVT would need to take some of there land why keep that undercover.”
The government would have happily disclosed such information (as it has done with other capital projects around the island)if in the designing of the project it saw that the need existed. However, projects are like humans, they seem to take on a life of their own once you launch them. Accidents, delayed materials, the need for increased mitigation..all these and more can conspire to derail a project. Now, with the renewed concern for safety being expressed, it is logical that the project may need to encroach on surrounding lands in order to install the mitigating structures. No?
I also think that the residents of the Valley had ample opportunities during the consultation meetings to inquire about the future state of their lands. No? They were not asleep, were they?
Even if they are able to pull off energy independence, which I doubt they will but anyway here’s hoping, the greatest legacy that the Skerrit administration will leave behind is the most diabolical level of niggeritis not to mention, complete eradication of any degree of class in high office with the typical “go lock yourself in a toilet” level of public dialogue.
I suppose that nothing this government does will be good enough for you, huh? Ah well, newsflash…this government works for you and me. Long after they are gone, we will still be enjoying the fruits of their labour, or suffering the consequences of their folly. So, let us work WITH them for US. DO not think with your emotions.
Don’t forget “none of their damn business” and “no constitution etc.”
Ignorant!!!
I in that! the plane, or the boat not living me Down, you mad! free trip to Guarda,Just letme know the date we leaving. LabourRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR power!
So i like man to operate.
Go and show dem Blackmoore
Thats a shut your mouth trip. I am sure the government will be giving them pocket change. Dominica government really have money to waste. Poor the tax payers of this country.
If they already have a geothermal plant in Guadeloupe,why are we talking about selling geothermal energy to them.
that’s a pretty good question
Guadeloupe. Hawaiii we want u to take us about Guadeloupe!
And if they were taken to hawaii you would ask for alaska cuz thats all you here for to oppose insensibly
Geothermal energy is a secondary source of energy, I do not see why we Dominicans have to become the laughing joke of the world: what expedition we have to take to Guadeloupe to see this and that?
That sort of action is so foolish, I imagine they want to travel simply to take some money out of the treasury, to put into their: “you know where!”
Geothermal energy has been around for a very long time, longer than any government minister in Dominica.
It began as long ago as 1904, when engineers in Larderello, Italy tapped the supply of geothermal energy by drilling special wells into the underground steam supply. This natural steam drives electricity-producing turbines, which caused the Larderello plant in 1904 to generate 390 MW of electric power.
So what is the big deal about this thing in Dominica?
Since the advent of the Larderello plant we found them operating in New Zealand, the former Soviet Union, Japan, Iceland, Mexico, Kenya, and right here in California, at the Geysers, 90 miles north of San Francisco,
almost six hundred miles from Los Angeles, where steam wells drivers generators that supply more than 500 MW of electric power.
In all the places where they are in operation, there are no reports I know of which states anyone has died due to pollution of these plants
Dominicans fight and argue over everything which is intended to bring any variable in the scheme of thing in the country.
Why are we like that?
why are we so dumb?
When we did not want the International Airport Edison James was building they say it was too expensive, and in fact we have to cut down trees, that will cause the rivers to dry-up, then someone said the world is returning to back to small aircrafts: all lies.
Since then we have aircrafts carrying more than five hundred people, and the latest is the 787. What is wrong with our people that we fail to operate in unison simply for the good of our country?
Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
Is there gonna be duty , vat , and excise tax exemption on electric cars stoves etc when the geothermal plant comes on stream ? That would truely lead to energy independence !!!!
i look forward to the outcome/feedback of this special visit especially from the residents of the Roseau Valley.