I was particularly touched by the comment from jrsedso. Another commenter said, “Dream on.” I intend to do just that. Without dreams, what have we got?
I received one e-mail and it was anonymous (only an e-mail address). It was from someone who obviously cares about the CNMI. The writer said he/she hoped that the CNMI would become, “the world’s premier ‘green’ tourist destination.” I like that goal and I think it’s attainable. I was cautioned to stay away from nuclear reactors and instead to concentrate on solar, wind, and geothermal energy sources.
I explained in my response to the e-mail correspondent that these renewable energy sources, while readily available, are not sufficiently developed to meet the needs of a centralized, power producing plant.
I suggested that a forward looking CNMI Legislature might pass a law that would give tax breaks to those businesses and homeowners that provide some or all of their own power via solar or wind.
I pointed out that the current containerized nuclear reactors could provide for power for the next 15 to 20 years and possibly by that time the alternative energy sources he recommends would be more advanced. I said OUR ECONOMY NEEDS AFFORDABLE, DEPENDABLE ELECTRIC POWER NOW! Using nuclear powered electrical generation would allow factories to be built in the CNMI for assembling the solar panels and wind generators for our future needs. The writer opined that providing local jobs would be a plus. At the end of 15 or 20 years, if no longer needed, the nuclear reactors could be shipped off-island to be recycled for other uses in other places.
His comments, however, made one thing painfully clear. The science courses in our schools have fallen woefully behind in education about the safe, usage of new self-contained nuclear reactors.
Other comments worthy of note included the advice that the Governor might not have the power by himself to accomplish the planks of my platform. Advice well taken. A cadre of like-minded politicians in the Legislature would certainly be helpful. My announcement of running for Governor is well in advance of the next gubernatorial election. Voting for new members of the House will occur soon. The election of some like-minded representatives to support my bid for governorship would certainly be welcome but that’s a decision for you, the voters. Ask your candidates if they intend to pass legislation that will encourage businesses and homeowners to install solar and wind powered generators. Allowing the cost of such installations to be deducted from their income taxes and/or business gross revenue taxes would certainly be a step in the right direction and would relieve some of the pressure on CUC.
About wasting money. Tom Arkle made a 10-year projection comparing the cost of our current power generating process to that which could be available to the CNMI in two to three years via nuclear power. If we continue using fossil fuels, it will cost, over the next 10 years, a minimum of $1.2 billion (that’s $1,200,000,000) and you will pay 40 cents or more per kwh. Tom estimates that the use of nuclear power to generate our electricity over the next ten years would be $90 million (inclusive of capital and fuel costs) and you would be paying 6 to 9 cents per kwh. Look at your next bill from CUC. How much do you spend on fossil fuel? Nuclear generators built by Hyperion are fueled once and it lasts 20 years. Google it and see! Would investors like an affordable, reliable supply of electricity? You bet!
Both the CNMI Legislature and Governor have websites, but they are pitiful, telling us little more than the names of office holders and committee members. The CNMI has been forced to enter a high tech 21st century and maybe we don’t like it, but we’ve got it. The computer (almost everyone has access to one either from a PSS student or at the library) should allow our citizens to address their concerns directly to the government leaders via the internet.
Upon becoming Governor, a plank in my platform will be to use the technology of the internet to allow constituents to address their concerns directly to those folks who can do something about the problems, the chief executive and the lawmakers. Concerned citizens can and will identify our problems and they will be posted on my gubernatorial website. All will be encouraged to submit tentative solutions. I will research these solutions and provide constituents with educational information about each solution. This will take some time and I may need help, but it is transparency at its finest. Next, using the internet, you will vote for the solution most likely to succeed. The lawmakers can do what they wish with our solutions, but my department heads will receive instructions on how to carry out your wishes and a timeline for reporting progress. All of which will be summarized on my Governor’s website for everyone’s perusal. This is true participatory democracy, but it will only succeed if a majority of the caring voters do, in fact, participate. This is our CNMI. Do you really want to make it “the world’s premier ‘green’ paradise”? If no, what do you want? Nothing is accomplished without effort.
Regarding the need for help mentioned earlier, another plank, the “Nerds!” I will ask each high school and NMC to provide me with a “NERD TEAM.” These groups of computer-savvy, bright young people will compete. They will do the research on the suggested solutions to the problems of the CNMI adding their own if they like, thus becoming players in participatory democracy. As I said earlier, the proposed solutions will be voted on by you, the participating constituents. The NERD team that provides the winning solution will receive some sort of suitable reward such as points to be used for future scholarship consideration. Another part of the NERD TEAM responsibility will be to provide periodic reports to the student leaders and school faculty of their schools and solicit new input. It will be good to work with young people again More participatory democracy.
Another comment to which I need to respond was this question, Will I let the power of Governorship change me into a power monger? I don’t know, but I have no reason to think so. It has been said that power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. The beauty of participatory democracy is that you the citizens have the power. I am only an instrument to see to it that your desires are implemented. If you provide no solutions, it’s your fault not mine. I sincerely hope that there will be as much response to this letter as there was to the last. Even more suggestions I hope. Let’s get participatory democracy started here and now! Support Roger N Ludwick for Governor.
ROGER N. LUDWICK
Sadog Tasi, Saipan
