Get off the Grid

I my part of the country there are three electric generating "plants" being opposed by the "not in my backyard" (NIMB) groups.

Apparently one of the plants the electric company did not have the correct county permits and the courts, as a result of a suit filed by neighboring home owners, have told the power company to tear down the plant. This plant has be in operation for several years. NIMB in action.

Another is a new coal fired plant being proposed in another area. These neighbors are trying to keep this plant from being built. Again NIMB and lets build this needed plant in your backyard.

The third is a wind farm. The neighbors and people that drive by the site on the tollway are against this eye-sore in a cattle grazing area. BTW, many of these people are the same ones who are saying we should make more use of renewable energy sources.

To these people I say, "Get off the Grid." By this I mean to disconnect from the electric companies and make all of your own electricity. Yes it can be done but it cost a lot of money to set up your own environmentally friendly system.

Of course I believe in conservation, however many of the things that allow you to conserve cost up front money and it takes several years to get your money back in power savings. But the good thing is that many of the things you can do to conserve makes your house more comfortable to live in. I put adding insulation, weatherstripping and caulking in this category.