NationStates Jolt Archive

---From the Desk of Victor Datsuyk, Chief Economic Advisor to The House of Boothby---

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To: Eógan Sol
Subject: Re Renewable Energy Rights

I am writing to follow up on your correspondence with our Secretary of Interior, Susan Garland. We are still interested in auctioning House of Boothby renewable energy industry rights, and would like to continue discussions regarding Nova Pictavia's potential investment.

Before bidding begins we would like to offer you the chance to send a team to our nation. While visiting they will be given the opportunity to survey our existing infrastructure and resources. Additionally we will make our economic advisors available to provide analysis on prospective markets.

This visit will also allow us discuss HOB industrial and international business laws.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Regards,
V. Datsuyk
Chief Economic Advisor
The House of Boothby

---From the Desk of Victor Datsuyk, Chief Economic Advisor to The House of Boothby---

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To: Frederick Norheim
Subject: Renewable Energy Rights

President Norheim, I write you on behalf of the Constitutional Monarchy of the House of Boothby. As you are aware our nation is undergoing a major period of industrialization and we are constantly looking for cheap clean energy to fuel out growth. In this effort we plan to auction rights to HOB renewable energy industries.

I would like to extend Yaritaria the opportunity to bid on rights to these industries.

Before bidding begins we would like to offer you the chance to send a team to our nation. While visiting they will be given the opportunity to survey our existing infrastructure and resources. Additionally we will make our economic advisors available to provide analysis on prospective markets.

This visit will also allow us discuss HOB industrial and international business laws.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Regards,
V. Datsuyk
Chief Economic Advisor
The House of Boothby

OOC: Current President is Frederick Norheim.

IC:

To: V. Datsuyk
Subject: Energy

I will be sending an expert in the field of renewable energy, Dr. Anna de Laval to inspect the nation and discuss the options available for the nation.

To: F. Norheim
cc: Dr. Laval
Subject: Re Energy

I have taken the liberty to reserve a landing time at our international airport in Nova Zembella for Dr. Laval. Secretary of the Interior, Susan Garland, and I will be there to meet her. Below I have attached an itinerary for Dr. Laval's visit, of course this is subject to change based on her consideration. Accommodations will be provided at the Royal Palace.


------Attachment-------
2/20/08
Arrival at Nova Zembella international airport and transport to Royal Palace - 11:30 am
Information session on renewable energy prospects in the HOB and economic growth predictions. - 1pm
Meeting with trade and economic advisors to highlight key terms of international business in HOB. - 3pm
Dinner at the Upper Dinning Hall (formal attire) - 7:30pm

2/21/08
Tour and inspection of current hydroelectric infrastructure - 8am
Meeting with hydroelectric engineers - 2pm
Return to Royal Palace - 4pm
Meeting with trade and economic advisors - 5pm
Dinner at the Upper Dinning Hall (formal attire) - 7:30pm

2/22/08
Meeting with Thomas Christopher Clark Boothby. -8am
Departure. -10am
------------------------------


Regards,
Victor Datsuyk

Notification to HOB:

Dr. Laval will be arriving via An-72 modified for her purposes.

2/20/08, 11:10AM, Nova Zembella International Airport:

The day was sunny as the An-72 touched down at Nova Zembella Int' 20 minutes ahead of schedule. Her team of technicians sat in the back cargo area, and she could clearly hear the boisterous laughter and smell the faint, sweet, distinctive smell of pot.

As much as she'd like, she couldn't join them. She had work to do this week, which required her to be sober for the next few hours.

So she kept her suit immaculate and made her friends and colleges smoke in the back so that she would not reek of the stuff, and offend any Boothbian sensibilities.

An air corps sergeant opened the door for her, and she exited into the blinding sunshine.

OOC: Hope you don't mind. Yanitaria is a very liberal place.

2/20/08, 11:10AM, Nova Zembella International Airport:

Victor Datsuyk sat in the back seat of the government fleet sedan going over key points he wanted to relay to their Yanitarian guest. Victor broke his gaze away from the tarmac and turned to the Secretary of Interior.

"Susan, have you dealt much with Yanitarians?"

Susan Garland raised a brow, she did not go in for the economics crowd too often but Victor was tolerable.

"Not particularly, I hear they are 'liberal'..."

Victor considered this, looked confused, and smiled.

Susan suppressed a sigh. This moron better not fuck this up, she thought to herself. She had worked to hard putting this proposal together, organizing engineers, and getting the administration to sign off on allowing foreign investment, to have some number cruncher to screw things up.

"Victor, just remember our selling points..."

She was cut off as the driver lowered the glass divider and turned to the two of them.

"Mrs. Garland, Dr. Kiprosov, just got a call from the tower, Dr. Laval's plane is expected in a minute."

The two exited the sedan and waited in silence as the flight touched down. A landing crew rushed forwards pushing a rolling stair case in front of them. The wheels were blocked and the door to the plane opened. Victor and Susan moved forwards from the sedan to the bottom of the stairs and waited for their guests to emerge.

Dr. Laval stepped down the stairs and extended a hand.

"Salut, I am Dr. Anna Laval."

[OOC: A note: PM is night.:p;)]

[OOC: A note: PM is night.:p;)]

OOC: No idea what you are talking about. ;)

Smiling, Susan shook Dr. Laval's proffered hand.

"Welcome to the House of Boothby Dr. Laval. I am Secretary of State, Susan Garland. This is my colleague Victor Kiprosov."

Mrs. Garland gestured to Victor as he reached out to shake Dr. Laval's hand.

"Welcome Dr. Laval, how was your flight?" Victor asked.


ooc: Stok, what?

"A bit boring, but I suppose any three hour flight is that way. I hope my early arrival didn't complicate things."

"Not at all" replied Mrs. Garland, "if there isn't anything else we can proceed to the Royal Palace. By the way, do you have any questions or concerns over the itinerary we composed?"

Victor signaled to the drivers for two large SUVs who hurried forward to carry their guests baggage.

"No, no complaints. Let's go, then."

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Imperial Communiqué

To V. Datsuyk:
Unfortunately, it was my understanding that Pictish syndicates would granted unrestricted access to the pro-environmental industrialization of Boothby's developing sources of renewable energy. As such, we have no intent to bid against foreign competitors for the rights to development in Boothby at this moment in time. Instead, we suggest that it is taken into consideration that New Pictavia is a economically sound nation with the strongest pro-environmental practices in Europa Atlantica, and with undoubtedly the greatest expertise of eco-friendly renewable resources. In addition, Pictish equipment and personnel sufficient for the preliminaries of such a task are already present in the neighbouring Kingdom of Torvque at an Imperial base of operations. Concerning the current trade embargo in place against all New Oslo Pact states in alliance with the enemies of the Imperium, exception is not going to be granted to Boothby unless Pictish exclusivity is provided.

Regards,
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Eógan Sol, Councillor of New Pictavia
In representation of Consul Gaius Kadesh of the Pictish Empire.

Official Communique:

Do not mind Pictavia threatening to pull any rights to bid. We assure you that Yanitaria would end up doubling what ever the Picts could offer you.

However, unlike our syndicalist friends, we Yanitarians do not discourage competition, and welcome you to invite as many bidders as possible, to make sure that Boothby gets the best value for it's Royal Franc.

2/20/08 1:07PM Conference Room B, Royal Palace, Nova Zembella, HOB.

Victor Kiprosov stood at the head of the long wooden table. There were around 25 seats, most of which were occupied by Boothbyian economists and experts in the field of hydroelectric power. Dr. Laval and some of her staff sat near the center of the table. Victor motioned to one of the attendants at the back of the room and the door was shut, lights dimmed, and the quiet purr of an overhead projector started. Behind victor a projection of a map of the House of Boothby appeared.

Victor began addressing Dr. Laval, "In front of you, you can find a packet with all the information you will cover in this presentation. Please keep this for further review. At the end of the session myself or one of our specialists can answer any of your questions."

Victor pressed the button on a small remote he was holding. On the projected map behind him numerous icons of power plants appeared.

"Currently the House of Boothby has four major hydroelectric plants, and 183 minor plants. We have defined major plants as those facilities producing over 20% of the total hydroelectric output. Below 20% and the facility is defined as minor.

Our current total output is 61.5 terawatt hours annually, with our largest, the Genevoria plant producing 35% of this, or 21.525 terawatt hours annually. As you can see from the map the other two major plants are located in Interlocken, 21% and Riechenbach, 24%."

Victor turned and used a lazer-pointer to highlight the point he had just made.

"The remaining plants utilize tidal power and are located along the White Sea coast. Combined these smaller installations make up the remaining 20% of our hydroelectric output. As you can see most of our hyrdo-power is located in the Canton of Riechenbach. On of our major objectives in privatizing this industry is to have a developer install facilities in our northern Canton of Bellevue."

Victor paused to pour himself a glass of water, sipped, and began again.

"The total annual income from these facilities has averaged approximately two hundred and thirty five billion francs, with a net profit of thirty nine billion francs. This was a 3% increase from the previous three year period.

As I said before, the House of Boothby is interested in a massive expansion of such facilities. We hope to increase our output to 80 terawatt hours within the next fifteen years, with the majority of new facilities behind in our northern Canton.

For the time being we are not prepared to make official statements about costs or taxes that a foreign investing nation would be required to pay the HOB, and such consideration will be addressed once the investors have provided us with a comprehensive plan for their achievement of our fifteen year goal.

That concludes the main portions of our presentation. Are there any questions I can answer for you Dr. Laval?"

Upon conclusion Victor took his seat facing across the table to Dr. Laval and her constituents.

Snip

OOC:We never agreed to bid anything in the first place, just expressed an interest. And that communiqué wasn't an open declaration, it was a personal communiqué from Eógan Sol to V. Datsuyk, so it would be considered SIC.

OOC: Sorry for the clutter, but I might reconsider participation later if it is still open, as I am away 'till Monday. Otherwise, I wont be online the next few days.

Edit: Warp.

To: Eógan Sol
Subject: Re Imperial Communique

Mr. Sol, I apologize for any confusion that has occurred over the invitation to invest in HOB energies. We are currently seeking to sell full hydroelectric development rights in the HOB. While these rights would grant you sole development and sales rights to all hydroelectric energy produced in the HOB, the purchasing of these rights will be conducted in the following manner: Interested nations will submit prospective plans to fulfill the HOB 15 year development goals. We will review and select those plans we are most interested in. Then negotiation can begin on economic and tax conditions. The HOB will consider both the submitted plans as well as the economic conditions agreed to in selecting which nation we wish to sell development rights.

Regards,
Victor Kiprosov

"Yes, what is your stance on nuclear energy? Yanitaria has developed some extremely safe reactors that can be built cheaply, and in five years total.

"Also, how extensive is your agricultural industry. We can build wind farms among crops, and it protects farmers against pests like crows. I'd also like to know of the soil states, and laws against high biomass products like hemp, which can be grown in low fertility soil that might otherwise go unused.

"And finally, what are the zoning laws against solar panels?"

Victor cleared his throat, "With regards to nuclear energy, we currently have two operational nuclear power plants, one outside of Montreux and one outside of Nova Zembella. We have never received foreign investment with regards to our nuclear program, however I am reluctant to comment further as I am sure you can imagine any nation's reluctance to have a foreign owned and operated nuclear reactor within its borders. However, purchase or trade of technical information is not out of the realm of possibility.

With regards to agriculture, most agriculture is present in our southern Canton of Riechenbach. As I mentioned before, one of our goals is to expand our renewable energy industries in our northern Canton of Bellevue, however the prospect of wind power is of great interest to us, regardless if it was used alongside agriculture.

With regards to soil qualities, I will have to inquire about this with one of our national ecological analysis.

With regards to solar power, the House of Boothby government currently has no solar power initiatives. Citizens may use and install solar panels on the private property as long as they are in alignment with regional building codes.

Is there anything else we can answer for you?"

"No. I think I have a plan in mind, but I have to run it by my technicians, " she smiled, remembering that they are probably still smoking pot in the cargo area of the plane, "and I'll of course have to run it by the Yanitarian government."

"My plan is multi pronged. First of all, we would fine tune your existing plants, and at the very least raise the profit by installing new, automated equipment. Next, we will use the existing plants to siphon water off from the reservoirs to geothermal plants located near by.

"We would also make deals with farmers, perhaps with a little government funding, to provide irrigation cheaply in exchange for small slits of land in between fields where we can construct wind farms. Further, we intend to pay the farmers to grow cannabis when they would usually leave a field bare. Since cannabis is a high biomass, high profit, low soil cost crop; it demands little of the soil compared to the profit one can make off of it.

"The stems and seeds can be turned into bio-fuels, while the higher THC content leaves can be sold abroad, or locally for a profit, under a Yanitarian brand name.

"Finally, we will rent space on the rooftops of cities to build solar collectors that will feed into a power station located miles away. We prefer to keep this last bit a secret so that we can cheaply rent roof space, increasing profits, while decreasing the cost to your people.

"We can also offer to build a number of nuclear reactors, which can provide up to 400GW each. We would own them, and provide the engineers and workforce, of course, all of whom would be locally hired, and will allow you to keep a police or military presence in the facilities, just as you would with your own reactors.

"And don't worry about nuclear waste, Yanitaria has the proper means to dispose of them, on Okhotsk Island. Do you find anything disagreeable so far?"

"Firstly, would you please elaborate on the need for secrecy with regards to installing solar collectors?

With regards to your proposal of using cannabis as a biofuel, do you currently use this technology in Yanitaria, and do you have any statistics on its efficiency? Further more I can tell you that national ecologists would need to review the the invasiveness of any introduced species.

With regards to nuclear reactors, of course we would require a full security force to be present on site. I am also certain that we would require a government run monitoring crew at any foreign plant. How do feel about this? Additionally, the facilities would be subject to governmental inspection along the same line as those imposed on our national plants.

Finally, we would like to know exactly how the waste will be stored and transported out of HOB."

"Firstly, would you please elaborate on the need for secrecy with regards to installing solar collectors?

With regards to your proposal of using cannabis as a biofuel, do you currently use this technology in Yanitaria, and do you have any statistics on its efficiency? Further more I can tell you that national ecologists would need to review the the invasiveness of any introduced species.

With regards to nuclear reactors, of course we would require a full security force to be present on site. I am also certain that we would require a government run monitoring crew at any foreign plant. How do feel about this? Additionally, the facilities would be subject to governmental inspection along the same line as those imposed on our national plants.

Finally, we would like to know exactly how the waste will be stored and transported out of HOB."

"You see, if we keep it a secret, the prices that people will charge to rent their roof space will stay the same. If it is announced, suddenly roof top space will have value, and will cost more, driving up the prices for the average person.

"Second, yes, we use cannabis as a biofuel. However, marijuana is not very invasive, and uses very few nutrients in the soil. The United States of America grew it in the dust bowl, when nothing else would grow, and farmers supplemented their income by growing hemp for use in their relatively minor war with the axis powers, instead of letting the fields stand bare. (OOC: The USA really did this. I only used a real country, because it's relevant to the discussion. In most RPs, the USA, or anything in the real world doesn't really exist)

"I am sure a government run monitoring crew will be no problem.

"Finally, the waste, which is very negligible, since a reactor can run for 25 years on one load of fuel, will be loaded aboard specially made containers, and transported via ship to Okhotsk Island, on the other side of the world."

"I see, you have given us quite a few possible avenues to consider pursuing. Of course, we will have to have to think over which if any of these possibilities we wish to advance with.

I am sure once you have surveyed our nation and cities that you will better be able to estimate your own interests investing.

Perspectively we would like to have all of these industries owned and run by our investor, with the proper monitoring of course. Compensation to the HOB will come as either a flat yearly rate, or as a percentage of earnings. We can discuss this at a later time should both our nations opt to go ahead.

Additionally government subsidy and land us can also be discussed.

If you have anymore questions or concerns I would be happy to answer them, if not then I think we can break this meeting"

"Nope, we are fine. I would like to discuss the compensation at a later date though."

"In that case I suggest that we adjourn this meeting to give both of us and our constituents time to go over what we have discussed."

"Indeed."

bump

2/22/08 Nova Zembella International Airport 10:12 AM

Victor stood next to Dr. Laval as her and her constituents gear was loaded into the Yanitarian plane.

"Again, Dr. Laval, I would like to thank you on behalf of The House of Boothby for coming to discuss the possibility of your country's investment in our energy industries.

When you return to Yanitaria you may expect to receive a summary of our interests. If you could please review it and report on your country's ability to supply the needed services. We can then move forwards on the compensation agreement and make all legal arrangements."

Some Days Later:

A manila envelope landed in a Yanitarian Postal Service. Inside it was a report, detailing the plans of the Yanitarian Government to develop the Boothbian Power Grid. It read thusly:

[Recap of the methods to be used in the development, including charts, diagrams, and extensive detail. Also shows how much power will be produced by each method used, and the cost per unit.]

The cost to the Government of Yanitaria would reach as high as one trillion dollars to reach the goals your nation has set, and will take seven to eight years to complete, putting us much ahead of schedule.

Furthermore, using nuclear reactors, new renewable energy plants, and imported electricity from Yanitaria, we can extend the option to double the Boothbian power surplus in the future, for a discussed price.

All stations will be left to be run by your government, with the exception of experienced Yanitarian administrators who will oversee the running of the power grid and ensures that it runs smoothly.

In return, the government of Yanitaria asks for an 80% cut of the profit, until the cost of developing the power grid is covered, at which time the cut will be reduced to 30%.

Several Days Later

The Yanitarian proposal was received by HOB administration. After review the following counterproposal was delivered to the Yanitarian government:

[We were surprised to see that you have changed your position on the running of the proposed stations. However, this plan is not without interest to us.

As to your figures, we can accept paying an 65% of the net income for the first seven years, or until construction is complete. Should construction take longer then seven years, we are prepared to pay 50% of net income to Yanitaria for the eighth year.

After the eighth year, or completion of all project, which ever come first, the profit sharing will reduce to 20% for an additional ten years.

Additionally, nuclear reactors and waste removal are of great interest to us. Once we have finalized the first proposal perhaps we could discuss this option.

Please review the figures and reply to our offer]

The USSY would like some assurance that we can make a profit off of this deal.

We would agree to your proposal, if there was a clause at the end stating that if at the end of our profit sharing contract, if we still have not recouped our losses, plus a 30% profit, that we could continue on until we do.

If this is acceptable, then we may begin discussing the nuclear reactors and waste management.

Dear friends,

Of course we understand your concern and assure you that your investment will be a lucrative one. We will of course accept your request of an additional 30% of total investment costs.

As to the nuclear reactors, what terms did you have in mind. As mentioned before, any reactors in HOB will have to have a governmental security and monitoring staff.

We were planning on running the reactors, at first with an entirely Yanitarian staff until Boothbians can be trained to use it.

The first plan calls for 5 reactors total, while the optional one calls for another 15.

Waste will be moved from your northern coast, all the way to the other side of Stoklomolvi, where Okhotsk Island is located. There it will be stored inside a mountain containment facility, indefinitely. We will conduct this service at cost, and will make no profit from it, to provide you with the cheapest waste management available.

agreed.

We would want to construct a secured facility on the northern most tip of our Barents coast. Here waste can be stored until shipment. However, quality control will have to be measured by Boothian staff tri-annually, while we would expect more frequent Yanitarian inspections.

Indeed, construction can begin when you approve the building sites.

Then we should arrange for your nuclear technicians and surveyors to look at potential sites. Legal documents regarding our agreement will be supplied shortly.

The following document was delivered to the Yanitarian administration:

======

Energy Industry Contracts
2/27/2008

The following arrangement has been reached and will be adhered to by all parties (The House and Boothby and Yanitaria)

1.) Yanitaria will at cost construct hydroelectric, solar, wind, and nuclear energy facilities for the HOB.

2.) This construction will have a 7 to 8 year timeline.

3.) Yanitaria will be responsible for all safe waste removal from the above facilities.

4.) HOB security and inspection teams will be stationed at all facilities and support facilities.

5.) Yanitaria will be paid 65% of total profits for the first 7 years of construction, 50% for total profits for an eighth year if necessary. Following construction Yanitaria will be paid 20% of total profits for the next 10 years.

6.) At the end of the above stated time period if Yanitaria has not recouped its costs plus 30%, then the HOB shall be obliged to supply this deficit.

Thomas Christopher Clark Boothby
House of Boothby Signatory

x________________________________
Yanitaria Signatory

======

(OOC: Just a note, the 7-8 year timeline was a blatant lie. It will actually be done in five. It makes us look better that way)

IC:

President Frederick Norheim signed the document on Feb. 28. 2008.

To: Frederick Norheim
Subject: Agricultural Prospects

President Horheim, as our two nations have recently finalized plans for Yanitarian investment in our domestic energy industries, I write to inquire about your interest in undertaking a new national agriculture campaign.

I am referring to the prospect of Yanitarian land being used to grow poppies. As you undoubtedly know, the growing and processing of poppies into morphine and other alkaloid derivatives is one of the HOB's major domestic industries. We use these products both in medical research as well as in many recreational settings.

As you also undoubtedly know, our southern Canton of Bellevue is the only region of the HOB suited to growing crops, and as such we are relatively restricted with regards to production size.

Would you be interested in communicating about the possibility of Boothian poppy crops being planted in Yanitaria and brought back to the HOB for processing and sale?

Regards,
Thomas Christopher Clark Boothby
Hereditary Ruler of the House of Boothby

To: Thomas Christopher Clark Boothby
Subject: Re:Agricultural Prospects

Yanitaria could definitely grow poppies for your nation, and in any quantities you can afford to buy.

There are several hundred state run communes that we can contract to your nation, or you could choose to contract private farmers to grow your crops.

Regards,
Citizen Frederick Norheim,
President of the USSY

To: Frederick Norheim
Subject: Re:Re:Agricultural Prospects

We would prefer to use your existing infrastructure, granted that it is large enough and meets quality control standards.

Initially we would be looking for a harvest of approximately 100 tons (poppy heads only). Depending on planting densities the planting area can vary greatly but we have found that 0.4 square miles will yield approximately 1 ton in an average harvest. This would equate to some 40 square miles.

Regards,
Thomas Christopher Clark Boothby

To: Thomas Christopher Clark Boothby
Subject: Re:Re:Re:Agricultural Prospects

~104km squared will be prepared on a state run commune in order fill your order for the next growing season. Are you interested in ordering more later on?

Regards,
Citizen Frederick Norheim,
President of the USSY

To: Frederick Norheim
Subject: Re:Re:Re:Re:Agricultural Prospects

Obtaining further land usage in Yanitaria will depend on two variables.
1.) The quality of Yanitarian product (we have no real concerns about this0
2.) Our domestic demand for poppy crops.

As The House of Boothby seems to have an insatiable appetite for the alkaloids products we can foresee further investment.

Regards,
Thomas Christopher Clark Boothby

To: Thomas Christopher Clark Boothby
Subject: Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Agricultural Prospects

Of course. We will give you 20% off of the regular market price of Yanitarian Poppies.

Regards,
Citizen Frederick Norheim,
President of the USSY