(4/2020) Several weeks ago I attended a risk pooling conference sponsored by the Association of Governmental Risk Pools. Attending were managers, staff and board directors from Canada and the United States. Currently I serve on the PA Compensation Board of the PA County Commissioners Association. Through a variety of break-out sessions we shared and discussed issues relevant to our pools providing property and liability coverage and worker compensation coverage.

This conference was nearly a month ago, so there was very little deep discussion specific to the coronavirus. The closest we came to the issue was discussion of establishing continuity of operations (COP). A COP becomes essential when an entity, such as a county, must establish a plan to continue operations in the face of a catastrophic event such as a major snow storm, flood, hurricane or a health pandemic.

This scenario has most recently come into action for Adams County Government. Adams County Commissioners, the Courts, Directors and elected officials met repeatedly as coronavirus issues unfolded; changing by the hour on occasions. We obviously were in an unprecedented situation; guarding against the spread of the virus, acquiring resources needed, staying abreast of state and local directives, and continuing county operations in multiple situations. Conference calls were the order of the day to determine the best course forward to protect our staff and residents and maintain a continuity of operation from the courthouse, to the Human Services Building, to Emergency Services, and to the prison. Since the writing of this article new information may have come forth to alter what has been set in place. I am confident that the county team of professionals and staff will take, with great resolve, a course of action that is most appropriate.

The Key Note Speaker at our risk pooling conference was a great inspiration to all of us as we now put it into perspective with our pandemic challenge. That speaker was Captain "Sully" Sullenberger. He had an amazing account and presentation. His flawless emergency landing of his passenger jet "on" the Hudson River was definitely in the hands of the right individual. Sully’s character, knowledge, and experience were all vital to the stunning river landing. He only had minutes to evaluate where to land as his plane dropped from the sky like a huge glider (engines were dead). He only had seconds to perform his critical and correct maneuvers using battery power that was only available due to an earlier decision to cut power. Sully made all the right decisions at the right time. He credits the roots of his decision making to being reared to recognize the importance of positive and right decisions, along with an appreciation for knowledge and applying experience to his regular duties.

Sully realized he had an obligation to share what took place and the benefit it would be to others. The problem was that he was a great pilot, but a terrible public speaker. His resolve to share the "story" compelled him to train for public speaking. It is a great encouragement to know we have individuals like Sully for times such as these. I believe there are many more individuals like this among us, and they will afford us an amazing landing from the coronavirus.

The same week I witnessed something amazing that I have never seen in person. What I saw represented how we as a nation can overcome extremely complex challenges. I saw the midnight launch of the Space-X rocket while standing on the nearby Patrick Air Force Base. It did not end there. Following the launch I saw the booster separate from the payload, and then saw the booster soft land to the launch pad by firing a series of thrust blasts. That was certainly a culmination of years of experience and knowledge well beyond most individuals.

Another hot topic in Adams County is that of "industrial solar" power projects. Delivery of electrical power faces market disruption through subsidized solar power. What does "experience" tell us about the political use of subsidies? In general I am not a fan of subsidies, especially when it comes to subsidizing a commodity that will disrupt the marketplace. The reason that solar power is able to compete with power generation plants is because solar power receives a subsidy, amounting to approximate 1.5 cents/kw hr to offset its higher cost. Subsidizing industrial solar energy is building the path to unfair competition.

With the price advantage created by subsidies over a period of time, power generation plants will not be able to compete economically with solar generation. Power generation plants will then have no option but to cease production rather than operating at a loss. As power plants go offline there is less power available, and a lower supply will drive cost higher. The pressure for higher prices will become even greater as the subsidies end and solar will realize higher production costs. Additionally, while we will pay more for electricity, power generation plant jobs will be lost. That becomes an economic squeeze, resulting in higher consumer costs and loss of local income.

Presently Pennsylvania is one of the leading power generators in the northeast. Also PA produces some of the nation’s lowest cost power. For these reasons many believe the PA power industry is good for PA. Governor Wolf thinks differently; he want power plants to be eliminated in PA. So, massive installation of industrial solar energy fields fits the Governor’s objectives. So where is Adams County headed with industrial solar production? Higher energy costs are at the door step. Will Adams County be the door mat for the Governor’s master plan?