Date: Thu, 23 Jun 2011
Hi Catherine . . .
Wanted to share with you an issue that is unfolding in Burlington, Vermont. Our mayor Bob Kiss has sort of side-stepped the electorate in securing a partnership with Lockheed-Martin via the Carbon War Room (See: http://www.carbonwarroom.com/ ) for “green initiatives in the city.”
Background information:
Burlington Selected to Join Elite ‘Carbon War Room’
Blurt (29 April 10)
Jonathan Leavitt: Burlington Kisses Lockheed? Just Say No
Vermont Commons (21 Feb 11)
Burlington is set to get Smart Grid technology – and the people who will be responsible for the technology behind it are related to Lockheed-Martin.
While some of the city officials will deny the connection – it is so plainly obvious what is going on.
Conference Energizes Vermont-Sandia Smart Grid Partnership
Sandia Labs News Releases (20 May 11)
What is also interesting is the Mayor is moving forward with this plan has co-sponsored a resolution which was posted on your blog – the “Bring Our War Dollars Home” resolution while at the same time making deals with the biggest “defense” contractor of them all. Perhaps they really are “bringing our war dollars home.”
Mayors Tell Congress: Bring War Dollars Home
MWC News (20 June 11)
And as a side-note for all the hub-bub Bernie Sanders makes in Congress – he still makes deals with these folks. The military-industrial-congressional complex is alive and well – even in our progressive state.
Delegation works to bring Sandia National Laboratories to Vermont
Bernie Sanders (21 Jan 10)
Addendum:
“However I came across this Press Release put out by our electric company denying the connection between Itron and Lockheed- Martin for this specific project.
Lockheed Martin Not Involved in Burlington Electric Department Smart Grid/Meter Project
Although my “spidey-sense” still thinks something is afoot given the timing of this with the courting of Lockheed-Martin and other defense contractors by the Vermont Chamber of Commerce: Defense Contractors Land in South Burlington For VT Chamber’s Open House Blurt (14 June 11) – prior to the vote for the bond funding for this Smart Grid project (June 28) and the already established connection between Sandia (Lockheed owned subsidiary) and the deployment of the Vermont state-wide Smart Grid.
Perhaps you just can’t get away from them at this point – I’m not a politician so do not know what they are up against.
Anyway – thought you would find it interesting and relevant. Keep up the good work.
A Subscriber
Solari Report Blog Commentaries
Beware the Smart Grid with B. Blake Levitt
(21 April 11)
The Problems With Smart Grids: Dumb and Dangerous
(28 March 11)
Smart Grids: Update from Blake Levitt
(11 March 11)