If you are a newcormer to the BLP world, it is easy to misread the signs and
get confused, when the story is actually straightforward if you use the
tacit assumption that Mills is smart and knows what he is doing. First
realize thst BLP is well and privately financed and does not "owe"
explanations to anybody. Next realize that Mills' work is extensively
published in detail -- which gives ample target practice for critics. Then
note that Mills has pledged to announce significant events as they happen
[after patent applications are in place]. Mills has a small staff and lots
to do, and he doesn't need to waste time with the idly curious and "prove
it" critics.
A little checking reveals that Estacado is a shell, protected by an NDA so
that work can proceed quietly, without distrataction, even regulation and
snooping. It is reasonable to expect a series of systems to be built at BLP
and shipped to Estacado and operated to prove reliability and measure
consumables and estimate savings. All this is necessary background for the
main act, which is significant commercial deployment beginning X or XX years
hence.
I speculate, but a reasonable plan would be for an up front good faith
payment for the attention and support of BLP staff. There could be partial
payments for power units of intermediate capacity, with royalties for the
energy produced, and options to buy more powerful units as they arfe
available.
Mike Carrell.
