To the Journal editor:

The problem with vested interests is vested interest.

The problem of power supply in the Upper Peninsula actually has been present but unseen for a many years. The seeds of this were planted decades ago. They were fertilized and grew without much thought about what kind of fruit the plant would bear.

Responses and or any solutions to the problem must take into consideration the origin of the present problem. Simply replacing or adding the same with the same would appear as folly. Here clearly, new solutions, new sources, and new decision makers are needed.

Some vested interests: 1) Transmission companies owning and building transmission lines and 2) Electrical generation owning plants and selling power.

Where is the ratepayer or customer interest involved? Are these entities interests central to customers’ or ratepayers’, or is it the company stockholders’ or their executives’ interest? Remember, sometimes the stockholder and executive attention and interests wane each quarter that passes or each bonus paid. A longer term vision is required.

In some manner the responsibility for customer/ratepayer interest is being represented by regulatory agencies. But as in the case with many regulatory decisions, these agencies are involved after the fact. Or as may be the case such agencies, whether they be state or federal, become part of the problem.

Clearly ratepayers, customers and citizens need involvement. That involvement could be direct representation or delegated, to support and pursue their interests.

Keep in mind the following; Utilities invested in fossil plants, or transmission lines want to use them. Can our power problem be corrected by using more central station utility based facilities, or utilizing very remote such facilities via EHV transmission lines? The vested interests will prove the feasibility and the need for reliability in doing so, technically, but not the logic.

In all these cases, ones vision is easily obscured by ones paycheck.

If one uses the same guide, travels the same direction down the same road you probably will end up in the same old place. Decades ago decisions were made that were for the benefit of a particular industry. Let’s not repeat past errors by favoring other industries.

Now is the time and the opportunity to correct such systemic issues. The Upper Peninsula should move from reliance of distance entities and facilities to a more local approach. It makes sense for the local economy, the environment and the ratepayers/customers.

Russ Mattson

Chassell