Saturday, May 18, 2013
Comment Archives: stories: News: Local News
Re: “Colorado Republicans arm for elections”
You call that "reform"? Try DISASTER! Bunch of media libtards!
Posted by
Don Rima
on 03/14/2013 at 9:53 AM
Re: “Colorado Republicans arm for elections”
All this effort and such a poor product from the hysterical liberal crowd....and none of these laws would have or will ever stop a crazed killer.
Posted by
TejonTech
on 03/14/2013 at 9:40 AM
Re: “Maketa wants investigation of Dems”
Personally I wished the other day that all of the wanna be a coloradians that now run our state would find a cure for their cally-tex disease and go back to where ever it is they moved here from. i'm getting tired of the dems and repubs from both of the states that have ingrained their way along the entire front range and decided that they should be allowed to turn their private agendas into laws here just because they have the cash to buy their way into office. pitty the poor colorado native that didn't leave the state after high school and by the way who invited these people here in the first place..why is it that texas and california money thinks that they should be the only ones in charge where ever they end up and run for office.....
Posted by
Lycus Blackthorn
on 03/13/2013 at 9:49 PM
Re: “Local businessman tries to increase the heat on Tim Leigh”
I see the Tim Leigh trolls are on. Can not face the facts that Tim Leigh is unethical and will be found so by the ethics committee unless the mayor and melcher pressure them to find Leigh not guilty.
Posted by
louiet
on 03/13/2013 at 9:12 PM
Re: “Local businessman tries to increase the heat on Tim Leigh”
Patrick, love your response have read all of these and they still do not explain how this contract has gone from "Neumann’s device is estimated to cost less than $20 million. No operational costs were provided. " in 2008 to 121 Million plus, please simply show us and the ratepayers how this occurred??? In other words just SHOW US the MONEY and where it was spent! That is all that we are asking, for if this is our venture capital as a City owned utility spent for this technology then we as the ratepayers are the venture capitalists, Neumann systems is working for all of us, open the books!
Posted by
Paul Kleinschmidt
on 03/13/2013 at 7:05 PM
Re: “Local businessman tries to increase the heat on Tim Leigh”
Hi Paul, Thanks for your questions. You can likely find answers to these questions and others in this story from the Colorado Springs Business Journal: http://csbj.com/2013/03/07/neustream-q-and…
Thanks for referencing me in this post. I subscribe to the theory that any news is good news as long as you spell my name correctly, and you did. Thank you. You can read more about Patrick Davis Consulting at www.patrickdavisconsulting.com and you can read more about Neumann Systems Group at www.neumannsystemsgroup.com.
Cheers,
Patrick Davis
Posted by
Patrick Davis
on 03/13/2013 at 4:02 PM
Re: “Maketa wants investigation of Dems”
If no bill was ever submitted how can it be used to extort anything. Maketa has been caught in an embellishment and is spinning and covering. Man up admit it and move on.
Posted by
Jack M
on 03/13/2013 at 3:31 PM
Re: “Local businessman tries to increase the heat on Tim Leigh”
If this technology is as good as it is claimed then why are there no orders for it but CSU? Last time I heard about anything like this it turned out that the people pushing it had a financial involvement and their family was involved in it, is that the case here also?
Posted by
Jack M
on 03/13/2013 at 3:22 PM
Re: “Local businessman tries to increase the heat on Tim Leigh”
Since you both seem to have so many questions about the NSG contract and technology, I suggest you read these articles by the Colorado Springs Business Journal. They are very informative.
http://csbj.com/2013/03/07/neustream-q-and…
http://csbj.com/2013/03/07/drake-fight-vs-…
http://csbj.com/2013/03/07/tiahrt-requests…
http://csbj.com/2013/03/07/neustream-contr…
Posted by
onesopinion
on 03/13/2013 at 2:18 PM
Re: “Local businessman tries to increase the heat on Tim Leigh”
Tim has been doing exactly what we want him to do...making sure our tax dollars are being spent correctly.
This Neumann deal stinks...and what audacity for Neumann to deflect from whatever misbehavior he has pulled off by going after the public servant who outed him.
This is just why I voted for Tim Leigh...he is clean, gutsy, and can therefore standup to whatever is going on with this whole Neumann affair.
Posted by
TejonTech
on 03/13/2013 at 12:37 PM
Re: “Local businessman tries to increase the heat on Tim Leigh”
So Pam, what has happened from 2008 until now with Neumann Systems where is the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow for Colorado Springs Utilities and the ratepayers, remember this article. Where is the World-wide market producing a potential 700 Billion dollar market as stated in this article? Where and who are the clients stepping up to the plate to purchase this other than our local ratepayer owned Colorado Springs Utility. Ladies and Gentlemen of the Board of Utilities it is time after almost five years to produce a forensic financial report of how and where our money as ratepayers has been spent with this company Neumann Systems as they develop and install this new technology on our plants.
It is our understanding as ratepayers that our City Utility has never missed a payment to Neumann systems. It has never been made public to our knowledge but is this contract with Neumann a cost plus contract for this technology and if so is there a ceiling that has been established? How much have they (Neumann Systems Group) spent of our money to hire and pay for public consultants such as Patrick Davis with set it straight and what are they paying for their new C.E.O. How have the costs escalated and why (note the 20 million dollar projected cost quote here in this article "Neumann’s device is estimated to cost less than $20 million. No operational costs were provided. ")
We the ratepayers expect our City Utility to provide the lowest cost rates in the most cost effective and environmentally responsible way, partnering with a firm (with financial guarantees for that firm) and new technology just may not prove to be the most cost effective way, so once again please make the financial details of this agreement (forensic) available to the public (the ratepayers).
Local invention may help clean up coal plants
February 11, 2008 12:33 AM
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By PAM ZUBECK
THE GAZETTE
A local scientist has teamed up with Colorado Springs Utilities to test an invention that could revolutionize the power industry and save the planet at the same time.
Air Force Academy graduate David Neumann, who holds a doctorate in physics, has developed a process he says he believes will scrub 90 percent of pollutants spewed by the city’s coal-fired electric plants for a fraction of the cost of other processes under development.
Neumann won’t discuss details of the method because patents are pending and competition in the potentially explosive market is fierce.
If successful, the new chemical treatment would mean thousands of coal-burning plants worldwide could sharply curtail carbon emissions — one of the biggest contributors to global warming.
That, in turn, would make the future of energy less complicated and uncertain in the arena of renewables. Renewables can’t provide the lion’s share of the world’s power because they provide intermittent electricity that is impossible to store.
The Department of Energy’s 2008 energy outlook estimates the use of renewables will increase by only 2.5 percent in the next 23 years.
By 2030, the use of coal will constitute 55 percent of the nation’s fuel, up from 49 percent last year.
The chief reason: There’s an estimated 300-year supply of coal in known reserves in the United States alone, the Energy Department said.
But with that growth will come a surge of roughly 500 million metric tons of emissions, the Energy Department predicts.
That’s why Neumann said it’s essential to develop a way to make coal plants burn cleaner. It’s also why Springs Utilities wants to give his invention a try.
“I would like to contribute to solving the global warming problem,” Neumann said. “It’s not realistic to eliminate fossil fuels in the next 50 years. We have this huge investment in infrastructure. Unless you want to shut down the world economy, we will be burning fossil fuels.”
Drew Rankin, Springs Utilities general manager for energy supply, said a method of removing carbon emissions would “liberate” coal as an acceptable long-term fuel source.
“We’re not doing this for fun,” Rankin said of testing Neumann’s device. “I believe there’s a high potential for impact to our customers.”
Standards for sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide and particulate emissions will be toughened in coming years. Control technology is in place for nitrogen oxide and particulates, but not for sulfur. Removing sulfur dioxide will require massive investment in scrubbers.
Installing equipment at one unit alone at the Martin Drake Power Plant will cost an estimated $65 million, plus $5 million a year in operational costs.
Neumann’s device is estimated to cost less than $20 million. No operational costs were provided.
A potentially more expensive problem is carbon. While not yet regulated, many in the industry say carbon emissions soon will be subject to limits, carbon taxes and other measures designed to force coalplant owners to find ways to lower their contribution to global warming.
Those taxes could total roughly $150 million a year for Springs Utilities, or about 16 percent of the city-owned agency’s current annual budget.
So far, there is no proven technology for removing carbon, but Neumann said he believes his invention will handle carbon as well as the other pollutants.
He also said his unit would be 20 times smaller than other versions being tested, which can cover acres.
“Carbon dioxide is very real for gas-fired plants as well,” Rankin said. “So it would help solve a lot of challenges if it should work.”
After achieving success in lab tests, Neumann approached Springs Utilities about testing the process on one of the city’s power stations.
Neumann is no novice. After retiring from Space Command in 1994, he started Neumann Systems Group Inc. and has done research and development on high-powered lasers for defense contractors.
He and his associate, Tom Henshaw, who holds a doctorate in physical chemistry and did research at the Air Force Academy, decided to work on a way to adapt their laser business to pollution control.
Rankin said Utilities’ investment so far has been minimal — adding pipes to divert the exhaust stream between the baghouse where ash is collected and the induced draft fan that pushes the emissions out of the stack.
The testing, which begins today, will attempt to remove emissions on the equivalent of one-tenth of 1 megawatt at a 46-megawatt unit at Drake. In other words, the testing will start on a small scale.
Neumann said he’s working on a process to neutralize the byproduct so residual material can be fed into the city’s wastewater system and be treated at the Las Vegas Wastewater Treatment Plant, just like any other waste. All byproducts of the tests, however, will be contained and analyzed, Rankin said.
In April, the city hopes to step up the test to 2 megawatts.
Testing is crucial. Not only will it either prove or disprove the efficacy of the process, it also will show how power-intensive the process is. Some scrubbing processes reduce a power plant’s output by 10 percent.
Rankin hopes the test will lead to a way to reduce the cost of retrofitting coal plants, considering 70 percent of the city’s energy comes from coal.
“My level of optimism is high,” he said. “It will be proven or disproven by the testing. What I’m positive about is the methodology. The scientific approach gives me strong confidence.”
For Neumann, the tests could pave the way to a gold mine.
Analysis by his other company, Envirolution Systems, suggests a market potential of $700 billion worldwide for existing coal plants alone.
“It could be the first homegrown billion-dollar business in Colorado Springs,” he said.
CONTACT THE WRITER: 636-0238 or pam.zubeck@gazette.com
Read more: http://www.gazette.com/news/neumann-32981-…
Posted by
Paul Kleinschmidt
on 03/13/2013 at 12:31 PM
Re: “Maketa wants investigation of Dems”
Sheriff Maketa has as much right as anyone else when it comes to bringing our elected officials to reveal their constitutional points.I hope he proves they over stepped the constitution,which they did.The constitution says "SHALL NOT INFRINGE",and that is exactly what they are doing.
Posted by
Gene Wilkerson
on 03/13/2013 at 10:36 AM
Re: “Maketa wants investigation of Dems”
Terry Maketa has been referred to as the "possible" future "hope" of the Republican Party of this state and has been mentioned as "someone to watch" in this weekly paper and other area media outlets . As the ONLY (voted-to-be-allowed) El Paso County elected official to actually successfully run for a 3rd term (that did not involve confusion in ballot writing), Maketa was "using" his county-wide popularity to try to push HIS agenda concerning his own gun-control stance/position as a "show" for his political power-pull in the higher-level governmental structures of the State of Colorado. His failure to represent "his side" of the gun-control position effectively in Denver is a "possible show" and/or a "representation" of his true inability to be a higher-level future political leader...and he isn't taking his loss very well....in fact, he's working hard to find and/or show "blame" by using these slanderous and totally unacceptable allegations against (specifically) the Senate "leaders/majority" of the State of Colorado. False allegations, "bully tactics," and/or "smear campaigns" against innocent people - our current State of Colorado elected officials/leaders are NOT signs or shows of a good representation of "future political office capabilities"; further, it shows just how irresponsible and incapable this local "leader" is to even consider "higher" political office(s) in the future. Terry Maketa is simply just a real SORE LOSER and BAD SPORT about his "side" on this issue not winning - NOT an attractive trait in ANY (so-called) "leader" - AT ANY Governmental-level.
Posted by
Addy M. Hansen
on 03/13/2013 at 5:19 AM
Re: “As she walks away from City Council, Lisa Czelatdko sounds like she has no regrets”
Statements are directly taken from Lisa Czeladtko's facebook page and twitter, written by her. Also, all of city council meetings are taped for those of you who never attend or watch them on television live.
Posted by
PlayInSnow
on 03/12/2013 at 9:48 AM
Re: “As she walks away from City Council, Lisa Czelatdko sounds like she has no regrets”
It's hard to tell when so many write anonymous. Assuming playin in snow is indeed a woman? Why are women so vicious towards other women? Lisa Czeladko is a married mom. She is beautiful, educated, and an example of courage for all women. How wonderful for her her daughters to see their mother in a leadership role in this male dominated community. I find her honesty to be refreshing for politics. She never stopped reminding people to fight for their voices to be heard and has shown the most growth of any Council member. I cant remember an elected official being so accessible by citizens. Her family must be so happy to get her back home. I do not even know who my Council member is and have learned more about this City over the last few years. Ms Czeladko has shown strength just like Mayor Bach has but is vilified for it. Perhaps they should work together if they could put their differences aside for the good of our City. Imagine what could be accomplished. I do hope she decides to run for something in the future. We need more women leaders like her.
Posted by
Marian
on 03/12/2013 at 5:57 AM
Re: “As she walks away from City Council, Lisa Czelatdko sounds like she has no regrets”
You are wrong play in snow. Lisa C did respond. She's known for her responsiveness. Ive never seen her shy away from any question. you obviously have a personal issue with her and so go out of your way to badmouth her. Go to her facebook page under her announcement and read the hundred plus posts of people raving about her. I'm more apt to believe all of those comments then a lady with an evident grudge. Whatever your problem is with Ms. cealatko, it's your problem.
Posted by
Cyclemann
on 03/12/2013 at 1:00 AM
Re: “As she walks away from City Council, Lisa Czelatdko sounds like she has no regrets”
Another classic Lisa Czeladtko tweet on September 30th "ehasselbeck (Just fired from The View) What about a show on women, mothers in local politics?"
Posted by
PlayInSnow
on 03/11/2013 at 8:26 PM
Re: “As she walks away from City Council, Lisa Czelatdko sounds like she has no regrets”
How about her tweet to Larry King on February 4th "#PickMeLarry Lets talk about Moms becoming elected officials Dirty politics. Social media, scandals, law suits, COS local government = Drama"
Posted by
PlayInSnow
on 03/11/2013 at 7:03 PM
Re: “As she walks away from City Council, Lisa Czelatdko sounds like she has no regrets”
Lisa Czeladtko on her facebook page March 4th. "Next, there will be pictures of Bach around the City like iran leaders. oh wait, there is at your nearest bus stop around town.Id delete some of these comments if my handheld devices allowed it. You gentlemen can continue your Bach love fest on your own pages if you please" and one of her facebook friends response " So when people like the mayor you want to delete their comments. Where is the open dialog Lisa??" Of course Councilwoman Czeladtko did not respond.
Posted by
PlayInSnow
on 03/11/2013 at 7:53 AM
Re: “Run it by me, says Maketa”
TejonTech: it never ceases to amaze and amuse me that so many conservatives yammer about 'Thuh Constuhtooshun' without understanding AT ALL what it means to uphold and defend it. What you call 'taking one aspect of something and stringing it out of balance' actually means 'arguing specific points of law'. When our rights are being violated, it's proper to examine the particulars of those violations. Of course, your notion that college ruins our children is enough to make my point for me about the manner by which you form your worldview.
Maroon.