Quote from Monday, February 8

“There are nice people, and there’s Matt Moran.”

Thoughts on Health Care Reform

The calm before the storm

It’s Thursday night, classes for Friday were cancelled and I’m awaiting the approaching snow storm. Washington D.C. is supposed to get about two feet of snow too. I guess they won’t be getting much done in the District this weekend.

Oh wait, that’s no different than normal.

Go Bob, Go

Cant you see Bob in this?

Governor Bob McDonnell’s proposal to raise the speed limit in Virginia passed the House of Delegates and the State Senate Tuesday. What else is there to say but, Go Bob, Go!

Governor Bob McDonnell’s proposal to increase the speed limit in Virginia to 70mph in rural and less populated areas was approved today by both chambers of the General Assembly. The Governor’s measure received broad bipartisan support in both the House and Senate. In the House, Delegate Bill Carrico (R-Galax) carried the bill. Senator Steve Newman (R-Lynchburg) patroned the bill in the Senate. Both bills are identical. Each bill must still be voted on by the other house prior to being sent to the Governor’s desk for his signature.

Speaking about today’s vote, Governor McDonnell remarked, “I thank Delegate Bill Carrico and Senator Steve Newman for their successful advocacy of this important proposal to speed up traffic in rural and less populated sections of Virginia. As today’s votes in both chambers demonstrate, there is broad bipartisan support for this common-sense idea. 32 states already have 70mph speed limits, and 13 allow motorists to drive 75mph. This slight increase in our speed limit will be safe for motorists and help get Virginians to their destinations a little quicker each day. This is an important early step towards our common goal of improving transportation in the Commonwealth.”

I mean, honestly, everyone already does 70+ mph anyway.

Power Rates, Regulation & Energy Costs

News out of Richmond today – Appalachian Power is prepared to suspend its most recent interim rate increase. After “concerns” arose about people facing higher electric bills, Virginia lawmakers began working to prevent the rate increase, causing Appalachian Power to suspend its request.

Appalachian Power Vice President Dan Carson says the utility is prepared to suspend an interim rate increase that took effect in December.

Carson made that statement Wednesday afternoon at a legislative hearing in Richmond.

Concern over rising electricity bills prompted lawmakers to introduce a number of measures directed at Appalachian Power.

Carson says the action would take effect after the governor signs proposed legislation.

He says the action would provide relief in a matter of days rather than weeks or months.

Martinsville Delegate Ward Armstrong says the proposal is a “good first step, but just a good first step.”

I want to do some more research on this, including trying to get in touch with Appalachian Power, but my early inclination is to say that the power company is probably justified in its rate increase. I watched the following video on APCO’s Youtube Channel and heard something that immediately made it all click for me.

“Although we realize it’s a bad time to raise rates due to the economy, the cost of generating electricty has gone up, we’ve had to meet more federal guidelines for emissions on our power plants. Even though it’s a bad time for the economy, it’s something that we could not prevent.” (my emphasis)

Obviously – what intrigues me here are the federal emissions guidelines. I want to look more into this and I’ll come back to it soon. I do, however, want to add something on the subject of power companies.

I understand people are having trouble paying their bills. My parents and plenty of people I know are among the many who have to ask themselves every month, how am I going to make this work?

I also understand though, Appalachian Power is a business. They have costs and they deserve to make a profit. Part of your state lawmaker’s job is to decide how much profit they should make – or at least, how much they should charge you. Next time Appalachian Power asks for a rate hike, don’t get upset at them – call your state legislator. And when you go to vote in November, ask yourself who Appalachian Power is sending money to – I’ll give you a hint, his name is Ward Armstrong.