That thunder you hear around Lead is the brainstorm Stan Gibilisco is having about alternative energy. The Black Hills (Black Holes?) thinker and tinkerer offers his thoughts about hooking up solar and wind power.
First he proposes a state-tribal collaboration to provide power (electrical and cultural) and jobs for South Dakota:
Gibilisco extends his remarks from the "Nerd Cave" to express mixed feelings about alternative energy. He reminds folks replacing petrol with electric cars that they are still burning fossil fuels. He also reminds us that even if we kick fossil fuels, China will still burn lots of coal.
Gibilisco sketches a "hybrid hybrid" system that could help a self-proclaimed "thermal wuss" get away from the grid and avoid net-metering worries:
Finally, Gibilisco elaborates on his concerns about utilities and the state charging home innovators for installing alternative energy. Gibilisco recognizes the utilities may have a case for charging customers intertie fees, but it sounds like his Libertarian heart wants to keep his entanglements to the minimum of his own wires.
Gibilisco welcomes comments on his YouTube pages. I welcome Stan's prolific video output to the video-blogosphere!
One good resource you may wish to check out is the Rocky Mountain Institute http://www.rmi.org if you have not already. They are located in Snowmass Colorado Co-founded by Amory Lovins a former nuclear physicist that is against nuclear energy.
They stress conservation, development of alternative renewable energy, infrastructure among other things with minimal government input, saving money for individuals and businesses, lessening our impact on the environment and national security. RMI is like a serious nerdville but it's incredible and I've followed what they have been accomplishing for at least 25 years.
Automobiles whether to go electric, hybrid, gasoline or diesel depends on so many variables on how you will use and how long you plan to keep the vehicle.
Electric or battery electric lawn mowers and lawn tools such as trimmers and blowers would make quite a big difference if your concerned about the environment and save you money in the process.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), a new gas powered lawn mower produces volatile organic compounds and nitrogen oxides emissions air pollution in in in one hour of operation as 11 new cars each being driven for one hour.
There are really no emission regulations on lawn mowers vs automobiles and with electric motors there is hardly any moving parts or maintenance.
Besides the grid that does charge electric or battery electric lawn equipment whether coal fired or not will get greener
Stan's idea is the answer to the flap in Aberdeen the other night about the power transmission lines from up in ND to Big Stone Power. The State legislature and the PUC need to make self sustaining power and net metering payback available to those in SD that are willing to and able to become self sufficient in power production.
Cory, thanks for the boost!
For those who wonder, the link with the words "charging home innovators" is
thinkprogress.org/climate/2014/04/16/3427392/oklahoma-fee-solar-wind/
Now I wonder ... Larry K., would they try something like that in, um ... New Mexico? Montana?
South Dakota?
Better not give BHP any weird ideas, eh?
Or should I fully state the link at
http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2014/04/16/3427392/oklahoma-fee-solar-wind/
Oh I be such a sharpie, about as sharp as the corners on a golf ball.
Still another rant on this issue, for those who can stand to look at my face any more ...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IstubE0a8A4
Guess I'm worked up over this Oklahoma thingy. Almost as much as Rachel Maddow.
I've always thought that she and Sean Hannity would make a handsome couple. Oh well.
rachel is an angel with horns; hannity is the devil incarnate. i get physically ill listening to him.