You know, with the so-called 'energy crisis' or 'shortage' going on out in CA, my dh and I knew that it would just be a matter of time before some of that GREED would make its way further east. Well, looks like it will be rather soon!

Just got a letter from my electric company. It seems that they have 'submitted a filing to the PUC asking it to consider a rate increase'!!! They claim that they are just losing to much money, and, with the prices of 'supply' costs sky-rocketing, that they feel they have no alternative. Sorry.....I find it hard to shed a tear for them.

Anyways...looks like even more of a reason for us to GET OFF THE GRID!!!!!

Tracey

-- Tracey (foralltimes@hotmail.com), February 20, 2001

Answers

Response to Knew that it was just a matter of time!!!

Hear, hear!

-- Leann Banta (thelionandlamb@hotmail.com), February 20, 2001.

Response to Knew that it was just a matter of time!!!

Only problem is, if you still want some of life's conveniences, such as electricity and indoor plumbing, going off the grid tends to be either very expensive or very inconvenient. I rather like my creature comforts. I just try to cut back when and where I can.

-- Ken S. in WC TN (scharabo@aol.com), February 20, 2001.

Response to Knew that it was just a matter of time!!!

Hi Tracey, I too am disgusted with big business Greed. It is a shame they wait til winter to do all this price increase stuff. Gas increase, propane price increase, now electric. Hits people at their hardest time when they are trying to make it thru the winter. I for one would love to be able to afford pure Solar heat,or set up windmills and be self sufficient and get off the grid. If I could I sure would. Pronto!!! Meantime, I agree with Ken, just have to cut back, be more aware of lights left on or "ghost" controls. Like the VCR that is many times left on when movie is over, or stereo remote lights. How about porch lights and them security lights outside. And are we aware of our computer? Is it left on even when we aren't using it? I even got light bulbs with lower watts in order to cut back. Not my choice but is a necessity. I think to myself, these are just little luxuries, but together they all add up. Spring is just around the next 3 corners,,,hopefully,,:-)

-- Patsy (cozyhollow-gal@care2.com), February 20, 2001.

Response to Knew that it was just a matter of time!!!

And now that the whole middle east is made at us what is to come ? I wonder how all those pro bush people feel ?

-- Patty {NY State} (fodfarms@slic.com), February 20, 2001.

Response to Knew that it was just a matter of time!!!

Time to crank up the China Diesel. .

-- Action Dude (theactiondude@yahoo.com), February 20, 2001.

Response to Knew that it was just a matter of time!!!

Patty, the Middle East has been mad at us and Israel since the 1950's. If we give them enough aid then they pretend to like us. It does not mater who is in power in the country, the rest of the world basically dislikes us because we are all rich and don't give enough yo them.

Conserving power is the way to go for most. To get off the grid you have to give up ALL major electric appliances like the dryer, electric stove and heat and electric water heater. To provide alternative power for these devices is very expensive, probably $10- 15,000. You can get off the grid with small power consumption devices for maybe $5,000 if you do everything yourself.

Remember, there is no free lunch.

-- Lynn Goltz (lynngoltz@aol.com), February 20, 2001.

Response to Knew that it was just a matter of time!!!

Yes the middle east is always mad at us but I think bombing them made matters worse , dont you ? Last I knew i still read the paper and watched t.v.I also think it was a little bit of a show of power after all this election mess .I'm sorry I will not turn this into a political thread and will say no more .PS I do not dislike Bush .

-- Patty {NY State} (fodfarms@slic.com), February 20, 2001.

Response to Knew that it was just a matter of time!!!

bought propane for my boss down to 1.10 per gal. today.Bob se.ks.

-- Bobco (bobco@hit.net), February 20, 2001.

Big government,big business = big liars, from where I sit. Power (and I don't mean the kind that powers my lights) corrupts. Several years back I ran a propane plant in the midwest. Our prices went throught the roof and the suppliers gave us the excuse that there was a shortage and the winter was really cold. Wow,what a suprise,a cold winter in the midwest. The truckers bringing in the propane said their bulk storage facilities were crammed full. No I don't buy into shortage, I might go along with manipulation. A friend of mine bought a solar electric system for their new home to the tune of about $15,ooo about a year ago. I thought that was a bit overboard but when I saw him last week and asked him what he thought about the rise in energy prices he broke out in this huge grin . hhhmmmmm.

-- jz (oz49us@yahoo.com), February 21, 2001.

We're looking to get a combination solar/wind generator going out here. It's been especially tempting in the last few days, with the wind blowing hard enough for the cats to need anchors to keep them from blowing away. And we've been letters about the wonders of deregulation too. Sigh.

-- Connie (Connie@lunehaven.com), February 26, 2001.