Office of Fmr. Governor Simfan34

[Simfan34]

Anyway, I have a little plan to help our energy sector, to reduce emissions, lower costs, and create jobs.

1. Build new hydroelectric plants, modernise existing ones, and install hydroelectric stations at existing dams.

It is estimated that there exists 65,000 MW of untapped hydroelectric potential in undeveloped our rivers and streams, not including those in protected areas. There is up to 12,000 MW of viable generation from existing dams without hydroelectric stations. So the fears of large dams marring the land would remain at bay.

For the sake of comparison we currently produce 96,000 MW of hydroelectric power at president. Overall, there is up to 400,000 MW of feasible hydroelectric potential, of which we could add easily add 60,000 MW to generation by 2025, which would create 1.4 million jobs, and could add upwards of $100 billion to our economy. Levelised costs would be competitive with coal and much of gas, and drastically lower than offshore wind or solar. Therefore incentivising and promoting the growth of hydroelectric plants.

Source for prices: http://www.eia.gov/forecasts/aeo/pdf/electricity_generation.pdf

2. Mass expansion of nuclear power

Firstly it should be established that nuclear power is safe. No one died because of radiation from Three Mile Island. No one died because of radiation from Fukushima Dai-ichi. The risks of nuclear are grossly exaggerated. Environmental groups are in an “unholy alliance” with fossil fuel producers in resisting nuclear energy.

With that aside, nuclear power is cheap, emission-free, and it is drastically more affordable than much of the renewable technologies. France converted to 80% nuclear power in a span of 20 years while tripling consumption, without any great sense of urgency, with urgency today we have the capability to convert very quickly. We must support the construction of nuclear plants, fast-track approvals, provide liability limitations, preferential financing rates, since many investors consider the returns to be too long-term. The benefits far, far outweigh the costs. We should add 100,000 MW of nuclear capacity by 2025-30. By building so much, we can drive down construction costs due to magnitudes of scale.

3. Stop focusing on wind and solar

Wind and solar can be useful, yes. But wind power, while somewhat cost-competitive, is unsightly and produces a low amount of power, around 1-3MW, per turbine, meaning that we must cover the land with wind turbines if we want to produce any significant amount. The same goes for solar, except it is three times as expensive. They can play a role, but relying on them to cut emissions- and raise costs- is counterproductive and will be fiercely resisted.

4. Phase out coal in favor of natural gas

Natural gas is cheaper and cleaner than coal. Many coal plants can be converted to run on natural gas. We should incentivise the rapid phase-out of coal power production in favor of natural gas by 2025, which would serves as a step towards reducing our carbon footprint.

Read more: http://www.c2es.org/publications/leveraging-natural-gas-reduce-greenhouse-gas-emissions#iv_power_sector

5. Modernise the electric grid.

We should incentivise the propagation of "smart grid" projects which include digital meters, wireless transmission of information, fault detection and self-correction, load balancing, and responsiveness to demand.

We should build the Tres Amigas Superstation, which would connect the three major electrical grids in the US for the first time.

Overall such improvements would increase reliability, lower costs, and allow for greater use of weather variable renewable energy sources.

I envision the shift in the mix of electricity generation sources to look something like this:

Year Coal Natural Gas Nuclear Hydroelectricity Non-Hydro Renewable Oil

2014 39% 29% 20% 7% 5% 1%

2025 5% 30% 40% 15% 10% 0%

In conclusion, this program would lower costs, lower emissions, increase reliability, and in general improve our electric supply.

Comparison of costs

Nuclear: $2-3.5 billion per GW
Wind: $6-7 billion per GW
Solar: $20-25 billion per GW

[Simfan34]

Menu
Inauguration Dinner of Governor Simfan
Tuesday, 20th August 2014
The Capitol, San Francisco

Soupe aux pois verts iraniennes

Stag's Leap Chardonnay
2006

Papillotes de saumon à la lime en cèdre libanaise
Lit d'asperges

Ridge "Monte Bello" Cabernet Sauvignon
2002

Boeuf braisé à l'orange ukrainienne
Riz pilaf
Épinards crémeux

Schramsberg Blanc de Blancs
2000

Posset du rhubarbe atlasienne avec meringues au jasmin tunisienne
Fromages assortis
Demitasses et digestifs

[Simfan34]

With salmon? I don't know!

[Simfan34]

Inaugural Address of Governor Simfan

Fellow Pacificans! I thank you for placing your trust in me to lead.

[Simfan34]

Am I allowed to join? After all, I have nothing else to do.

Of course, Mr. President. There'll be a great deal of scotch, so be ready!

I'm not sure, Mr. President. I am not familiar with pinots, and I only have this on hold:

[Simfan34]

I've urged the elected councilors to sign in, as there is already quite a bit of business I'd like to get to...

[Simfan34]

I sign

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X Simfan34

[Simfan34]

Executive Order 08-01

The powers of the office of Emergency Manager of the Pacific Region are hereby suspended and no new occupant shall be installed in that office until authorised by an act of the Pacific Council.

[Simfan34]

Brief remarks on activity

I intend to stimulate activity in this region. How? Through passing laws, becoming a laboratory for innovation and exciting new ideas. We will think in the Pacific. I will work to attract new members to our region, to encourage them to register here. And with the Patriation of the Pacific Recovery Act, we shall finally be able to break the chains of crisis and become a truly active region.

Voters have shown today the need for change from the present state of affairs. Our region is going to lead the way.

Governor Varavour OSA(G) OSA(S)

[Simfan34]

Devastation in downtown Napa.

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT ON CALIFORNIA EARTHQUAKE

An earthquake with a magnitude of 6.0 struck the San Francisco Bay area early Monday. The earthquake hit just before 3:30 a.m. Pacific time about 10 miles northwest of American Canyon, which is about six miles southwest of Napa, in California’s wine country, according to the Atlasian Geological Survey.

Widespread damage — to historic buildings, to wineries, to residences — was reported throughout the Napa Valley following the largest earthquake to shake Northern California since the devastating 6.9-magnitude Loma Prieta quake in 1989. Using automated economic-loss software, the AGS estimated that damages from Sunday’s earthquake are likely to surpass $1 billion.

More than 150 people were treated at Queen of the Valley Medical Center on Sunday, hospital officials said, but not all of the injuries were directly related to the earthquake.

There were several major injury cases, though, including a child who was in critical condition after a chimney collapsed. The 13-year-old was airlifted from a Napa hospital to a trauma center, the San Francisco Chronicle reported. Some 420,000 people are without power, and aftershocks are feared.

In this light, the decision by the Administration to cut of stimulus funding to our region seems particularly reckless and ill-thought. I shall be touring the affected areas tomorrow, and in the coming days a delegation shall head to Nyman to seek emergency aid and the resumption of stimulus funding.

Thus it is particularly urgent the Legislative Council approve the Patriation of the Pacific Recovery Act so that we do not remain at the whims of outsiders in times of crisis as this.

Executive Order 08-02

A State of Expanded Emergency is declared, to take effect in Napa, Sonoma, Solano, Yolo, San Francisco, Marin, Alameda, Contra Costa, Sacramento, San Mateo, and Santa Clara counties. Schools and other government offices shall be closed on Monday the 25th and on Tuesday the 26th. A curfew from 8pm to 5am shall be imposed for all non-essential personnel until Sunday the 31st. This is in addition to the Region-wide State of Emergency.

The Pacific Defence Force is 350,000 strong- 200,000 Ground, 50,000 Maritime, 50,000 Aerial, 50,000 Marine Force.

[Simfan34]

A true tragedy:

 

[Simfan34]

I sign the Patriation of the Pacific Recovery Act.

x Simfan

[Simfan34]

Schedule: 25 August to 31 August

Monday, 25 August
Visit earthquake affected areas in the Napa Valley, meet with local officials to discuss recovery efforts and economic impact.

Signing ceremony for the Patriation of the Pacific Recovery Act with members of the Legislative Council, the Capitol.

Address on appointment to Council Vacancy, executive offices.

Tuesday, 26 August

Swearing-in of new Councilman, and luncheon reception, the Capitol.

Visit with business leaders on finance in the Pacific Region, Scottsdale.

Fundraising dinner at the Arizona Biltmore hotel.

Wednesday, 27 August

Visit to the Los Alamos National Laboratory and speech on nuclear power.

Thursday, 28 August

Retreat with leaders of tech firms and startups, Sunnylands, Rancho Mirage.

Friday, 29 August

Sunnylands retreat continues. Fly to New York for family gathering.

Saturday, 30 August

Family gathering in New York.

Sunday, 31 August

Family gathering in New York.

[Simfan34]

What, pray tell, is ahn "office of profit", and is it constitutional to ban people from holding them?

Well, it says that:

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I'd imagine so.

[Simfan34]

Governor Varavour went to survey the damage caused by yesterday's magnitude 6.1 earthquake in the Napa Valley, which has cost up to $1 billion in damage and left five people dead, and over 120 injured, including a boy critically injured by a falling chimney.

Napa Fire Department Operations Chief John Callanan said that his city has exhausted its own resources extinguishing six fires, transporting injured residents, searching homes for anyone who might be trapped and answering calls about 50 gas leaks, 60 water main breaks and downed power lines.

The temblor severely affected the region's winemaking and tourism sectors, the mainstays of the region's economy, during the harvest season. Tom Montgomery, a winemaker for B.R. Cohn Winery in Glen Ellen, told the governor that up to half the winery's output had been lost. At another vineyard, the effects were also stark; the fall of one barrel of pinot noir there accounted for over $16,000 in losses.

The Napa Valley does $50 billion in economic activity a year, or roughly a quarter of wine industry for the entirety of Atlasia., according to the Napa Valley Vinters Association. The governor stressed that aid would be needed to manage the disaster and called for Nyman to "end the gridlock" and help the region "in its hour of need".

Executive Order 08-03

The Office of the Recovery is directed to suspend the Superior Court Act of 2014, as a result of the concerns raised by the Pacific Justice. I will decide, with input from various persons, whether the situation is best served by a constitutional amendment or the maintenance of the present arrangement.

[Simfan34]

I hate to see all of that wine damaged. This is a true tragedy

More tragic scenes :

[Simfan34]

What is the total output of Mideast wineries? The Napa Valley puts out $50 billion worth of wine each year.

[Simfan34]

What is the total output of Mideast wineries? The Napa Valley puts out $50 billion worth of wine each year.

I'll have to check with the GM on that.!

Either way I thank you for your concern. In hard times like these the regions must hang together,  particularly when facing common threats.

[Simfan34]

Napa Valley might account for only 4% of production, but it amounts to a quarter of the value.

[Simfan34]

I intend to propose legislation to fund the proposed ShakeAlert system currently under development.

http://space.io9.com/geology-of-the-napa-valley-earthquake-1626288018

Also, there is a 5-10% chance this was merely a foreshock to an even larger one. Estimates of the cost have increased to $5 billion.

Executive Order 08-04

The Office of the Recovery shall appropriate $47.5 million for operations. $5 million shall be spent on lobbying efforts, $27.5 million into the general fund, $10 million on media, and $5 million for expenses.

[Simfan34]

Update on the Napa Earthquake and other matters

I am pleased to see the federal government take action to help our citizens in Napa and the Bay Area affected by the earthquake. I am glad the President has instructed FEMA to conduct preliminary analyses of the damage wrought by the temblor, as I was encouraged by Secretary Hagrid's visit to the affect region.

Most importantly, Senator Cranberry's swift introduction of legislation to assist those Pacificans affected is a praiseworthy act of true and loyal service to this region we call our home. I sincerely hope that our leaders in Nyman will be able to set aside their political differences in order to assist those of us in need. I believe that the escalating costs of damage and the price of reconstruction should not fall unduly on the earthquake's victims, and I intend to visit Nyman in the coming days to discuss how these costs should be shared by the regional and federal government.

This week has been a rather hectic one, dealing with a number of urgent matters, I will admit. Next week, provided things calm down (which they should), I will deal with legislative matters, put forth my outline for the ongoing Regional Recovery Process, and hopefully address generally some of the issues currently affecting our region.

Governor Varavour

[Simfan34]

Your interest has been noted, although I am sure you will be moving on to bigger and better things fairly soon.

[Simfan34]

I hope my sketch projecting the cost structure of aid would be of help to the Senate.

[Simfan34]

THE PEOPLE MADE WHOLE!

I am overcome by emotion on this great day. The People are now made whole. I have tears in my eyes. I would give a great speech, but words fail me. Truly this land shall know peace and prosperity now that there is unity and The People's Party is here. It is really here.

Let us sweep away the cobwebs at the top, and the cobwebs in our midst, the cobwebs here in our region slowing the wheels of progress and pave the way for The People. I look at myself, our Senator, our Justice... all amongst The People. What glory! What joy! Let us spread the glorious message to the one last place it has not reached, and let us finally move ahead into the new age of plenty and progress! Now is no longer the time for nudging and goading, but for a clean sweep! The People, united, will never be defeated, and most of all, not in The People's Region of the Pacific!

[Simfan34]

The quality of the President's decision making is progressively declining. Something must be done.