Letters

Editor, I do not have expert knowledge on pumped storage efficiency. But 35+ years in IT has taught me how to find and research information using the latest tools. When Mr. Carr asserts that, "at best, pumped storage is 70% efficient", I was curious. I decided to learn about this. I’ve been using internet searches and an AI tool to collect...

Dear Editor, The current crisis in healthcare is the result of decades of Liberal, Conservative and NDP policy decisions or indecision. The current volume, complexity and pace of changes makes it difficult for people to follow what is happening. For many, until they personally have a negative experience, these changes are invisible. People are struggling to keep a job, find...

Dear Editor, I was walking down Sykes Street and noticed on the back of a sign, a protest poster with the words “From the river to the sea”. This is hate speech towards the Jewish people. It is well known as an expression of hate in Israel and Palestine. It is talking “extermination of the Jewish people from the river...

Dear Editor, It’s unlikely, but still possible, that there is a Professor of Cost Accounting somewhere in Ontario still worrying that I might come back to his class. Today? Hopefully, after decades and decades, today may be the day I finally make that poor Professor proud. The proposed 2024 Town of Meaford Budget lists a Net Expenditure (Revenues taken in, less the...

Dear Editor, I have to give kudos to TC Energy for their very effective, multi-million dollar proposed Ontario Pumped Storage (OPS) project public relations campaign. It looks like they have managed to influence politicians, much of the public and our own local town council through claims, a massive advertising campaign, lobbying and enticements. A corporate strategy of 'spend millions to...

Editor, Mr. Kuitert (Letter to the Editor, February 1, 2024) seems to be unaware of the many positive benefits to the community provided by the library. He needs to factor them in when doing his calculations. He could learn about these things if he went to the library web site or subscribed to their news letter. And, I wonder if 100 books/day...

Editor, So, the library costs us some $2,000 a day. Assuming that an average of one hundred books are taken out, that means then that every loan costs twenty dollars plus a few bucks for the wear and tear on the book itself. Then add to that the interest on seven million at say 5% would earn in the bank, we can...

Dear Editor, I am replying to Anne Boody Horwood’s letter, published January 25, 2024. Ms. Boody Horwood touches on a number of points, and we offer the following considerations in response. I would like to start by saying that the Ontario Pumped Storage Project (Project) will need to demonstrate that it is cost effective before it moves forward. To ensure that...

Dear Editor, Now we know. TC Energy's pumped storage proposal, which started at an estimated $2.2 billion in 2018, will actually cost $7 billion by the time it is built. TCE admits that in a January 11 press release and agrees to cap it at that level. But that's not counting pre-construction costs it wants Ontario taxpayers to pick up the...

Editor, I noticed two contributions to Letter to the Editor on January 18 attempting to legitimize the expenditure of what will eventually be $10 billion for the Pumped Storage Project (PSP). I spent 20 of my 40-year engineering career directly involved with the design and construction of hydro-electric dams and water storage facilities internationally. The following comment is based on Laws...