Smart Grid Electrical Distribution Act (Debating)

[Jayhawker]

Smart Grid Electrical Distribution Act

Section 1: Uniform Standards
1. The network used for the long-range transmission of electrical power shall be controlled and operated by the Altasian Department of Energy.

2. The transmission network from the power production stage until reaching the substation is defined as a public good. No regional, state, or local government, or private company may prevent a power producer from using transmission lines. The same rate must be charged to all transmission grid users.

3. County and local governments may impose restrictions on the distribution grid within their county or local region.

Section 2: Investment
1.The Department of Energy is appropriated $500 Billion over the next 20 years to implement smart grid technologies to reduce stress on the transmission grid and increase efficiency.

2. The current Eastern, Western, and Texas grid systems are to be maintained as separate transmission grids with manually-operated switching stations connecting the three grids along their borders.

Sponsor: Senator TJ in Cleve

[asexual trans victimologist]

Why maintain the separation of the transmission grids? Is this in the interests of containing blackouts or something? If so, would breaking up the three main grids be worthwhile to discuss?

[Senator Clarence]

My only initial objection would be the inclusion of the Department of Energy which I would propose to eliminate- but that can be fixed in a later bill to transfer its responsibilities

[Senator North Carolina Yankee]

$500 billion over 20 years is $25 billion per year. It is a substantial increase in the deficit and should have a dedicated revenue stream to pay for it. Any ideas?


Also, the third clause of Section 1 referring to the ability of local goverments to restrict the grid. What kind of restrictions are implied by that?

[Governor Scott]

$500 billion over 20 years is $25 billion per year. It is a substantial increase in the deficit and should have a dedicated revenue stream to pay for it. Any ideas?

This.  It would be nice if this bill could be tweaked so that it could actually bring in revenue to pay for itself, but I'm not sure how that could happen.

[TJ in Wisco]

Why maintain the separation of the transmission grids? Is this in the interests of containing blackouts or something? If so, would breaking up the three main grids be worthwhile to discuss?

That's the reason exactly. Having a direct connection without manual switching would increase the chances of a power surge causing a rolling blackout or damaging transmission lines.

Breaking them up further is an interesting idea and in a more perfect world I would like to see many smaller transmission grids connected by manual switching but this bill is plenty expensive enough without re-inventing the wheel.

[TJ in Wisco]

Also, the third clause of Section 1 referring to the ability of local goverments to restrict the grid. What kind of restrictions are implied by that?

This is referring to the distribution grid, which is different from the transmission grid. The transmission grid is the large apparatus that runs from power production to local transmission stations and the distribution grid runs from those stations to the consumer. The reason why I included this provision is limit the nationalization to only the transmission grid (only the part that crosses regional lines and effects the mass delivery across the nation).

Local governments could charge fees, contract private owners, buy power collectively, etc. and I want to make sure such a bill will not prevent them from doing so.

[Senator North Carolina Yankee]

How some kind of fee paid by the utility companies for use of the lines?

[TJ in Wisco]

To address cost concerns, I'd like to add a provision in the bill to charge utility companies to use the grid. The tax should cover the cost of the investment based on a 3884 billion kW-h annual electricity consumption.

Smart Grid Electrical Distribution Act

Section 1: Uniform Standards
1. The network used for the long-range transmission of electrical power shall be controlled and operated by the Altasian Department of Energy.

2. The transmission network from the power production stage until reaching the substation is defined as a public good. No regional, state, or local government, or private company may prevent a power producer from using transmission lines. The same rate must be charged to all transmission grid users.

3. County and local governments may impose restrictions on the distribution grid within their county or local region.

Section 2: Investment
1. The Department of Energy is appropriated $500 Billion over the next 20 years to implement smart grid technologies to reduce stress on the transmission grid and increase efficiency.

2. The current Eastern, Western, and Texas grid systems are to be maintained as separate transmission grids with manually-operated switching stations connecting the three grids along their borders.

3. Funding for this investment will be obtained by the imposition of a tax of 0.65 cents per kW-h to be paid by utility companies for using the grid.

[Senator North Carolina Yankee]

Senators have 24 hours to object to the amendment.

[shua]

Can power companies opt out, or is this something they'd have to use in order to use any electrical infrastructure?

[TJ in Wisco]

Can power companies opt out, or is this something they'd have to use in order to use any electrical infrastructure?

I'm not sure there's a way of doing this if they want to use the transmission grid (which virtually every one would). How does one transmit power without using the grid?

[shua]

Can power companies opt out, or is this something they'd have to use in order to use any electrical infrastructure?

I'm not sure there's a way of doing this if they want to use the transmission grid (which virtually every one would). How does one transmit power without using the grid?

I just wasn't clear whether the tax would apply only to the entire transmission grid network or only to the smart grid technologies, but reading the text I see it's the former. 

[Senator North Carolina Yankee]

The amendment has passed.

Are we ready for final vote here?

[ilikeverin]

I know almost nothing about this, so I'm going to blindly trust TJ!

[Senator North Carolina Yankee]

A final vote is now open on the Smart Grid Electrical Distribution Act, Senators please vote Aye, Nay, or Abstain.

[Governor Scott]

Abstain.

[TJ in Wisco]

Aye

[ilikeverin]

Yup

[Senator Sbane]

Aye

[IDS Legislator Alfred F. Jones]

Abstain.

[pillage the village, trash the scene]

Aye

[Senator North Carolina Yankee]

Did I not email every Senator about this vote? Yes I did.


SO WHERE THE HELL IS THE OTHERS?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Senator North Carolina Yankee]

Aye

For christ's sake. Can't I atleast get six ayes here?

[Senator Clarence]

Aye