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Minutes of Toledo Bend Bi-State Alliance Board Meeting Held at Antique Connection, 1/31/07 at 5 PM
In attendance were board members: Maurice Patterson, Glen Provost, Joe Kelley, Jerry & Janna Lehman and Stan Verret. Others present not on the board were Gene Graham, Don Driscoll, Mary & Austin Hill, Gene Nethery, Susan Cowgill, Judge Charles Watson and Carol Heefner.
Glen Provost took charge of the meeting to explain the trip to Austin on made on 1/29/07 by Larry Kelly, Joe Kelley, Bill McCarty and Glen. These gentlemen had appointments with Senator Robert Nichols, Representative Wayne Christian, Representative Mike Hamilton and Representative Allan Ritter. They also met with Parker McCullough and Dale Petty from Entergy.
Glen explained that Senator Nichols office feels that enough pressure has been put on the SRA & Entergy to get this issue resolved. The cost of stopping generation at 168' msl is less than 3 million. Entergy wants the legislators to help them in separate matter that is worth Billions to them. Basic politics indicate that Entergy and SRA-TX have the motivation to re-write their contract. We were told that Senator Nichols was also very interested in researching the decrease in Sabine Counties Sale Tax Rebates as a reflection of the low lake level effects.
Representative Mike Hamilton says that there was a survey of the Marinas in Texas on Toledo Bend and that they agreed 165' msl was high enough for them to operate. Our boys immediately informed him that his information was incorrect and asked him where this came from. Supposedly City Manager, Don Iles was the source of this 'survey' but we new better. Janna Lehman contacted Don Iles today and found out that Don is a friend of Mike Hamilton and they did talk about Toledo Bend but it was to express the City's support of the 168' campaign and NOT 165'msl. Don is getting this straighten out with Representative Hamilton's office today.
Representative Christian's office told us that Wayne's top priority this session is the lake level at Toledo Bend and he gave up a committee chairmanship because this issue is that important. They also believe that SRA & Entergy have had a lot of pressure to make this lake level work out.
According to Parker McCullough of Entergy, they would prefer that a bill not be filed so that they can resolve this issue with the contract themselves. They know that the last day to file a bill is 3/9/07 and the contact will either be amended by that date or the bills will be filed. Parker asked Glen to call him in 2 weeks (2/12/07) for an update on their progress.
We believe that the contract amendments will cover an increase in the price per megawatt from the current $21.00 or possibly the energy companies 'forgiving the SRA' for the times that SRA is at 168' msl and refuses to run the generators.
Glen feels that we can be cautiously optimistic that we will succeed in securing our wish of 168' msl because of our campaign has shed a spotlight on Toledo Bend with our legislators and because Entergy wants the 'other' deal from the legislators and does not want to create enemies.
Don Driscoll asked how Louisiana got their law passed so easy. Glen said it was mainly up to the Speaker of the House and it was just politics. Don also raised a concern that this 'amendment' to the contract would also extend it. Glen does not believe that they will allow any extensions in the length of time since they have North Texas wanting to purchase the water from Toledo Bend.
Stan Verret asked Glen if the State had to approve the changes in the contract. Glen said no and be assured that any re-negotiation of the contract between SRA and the power companies will be heavily scrutinized by Senator Nichols, Representative Christian and the Toledo Bend Bi-State Alliance.
It was agreed that we continue to call or write Senator Nichols, Representative Christian & Hamilton to get status reports. Glen also suggested that we write the President of the current SRA Texas Board.
The meeting was adjourned at 5:50pm.
Minutes Submitted By,
Janna Lehman, Treasurer
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