Homestead mailing list

[Don Bowen <don.bowen AT earthlink.net>]

At 3/7/2008, you wrote:
>In addition to gasoline and propane prices, rising energy costs will  
>push electricity prices upward. Have any of you developed cost- 
>effective solar systems? Wood-fired or water-powered generators?  
>Anything? 

Most electricity in the US is from either coal or natural gas.  Natural gas 
is in short supply and is predicted to peak within the next ten years.  
Meanwhile much of it comes out of Canada and with the fall of the dollar is 
getting more expensive.  Coal is a long ways from peaking but much of that 
comes out of Wyoming on rail and with increasing fuel costs will continue to 
increase in price.  The rails out of Wyoming are at capacity as are the rails 
moving container freight from the west coast.  Where they cross has become a 
bottle neck.  Current plans for more double tracking will help but not 
alleviate the problem.

What to do?  Step one is to conserve as much as possible.  Turn down the heat 
and turn off lights.  A very few well placed lights are cheaper than a whole 
house blazing.  Alternate energy sources such as wind and solar are fine but 
expensive.  If you can, buy land with the possibility of water power.  

I think a remote homestead should be thinking about electricity.  If supplies 
of fuel get tight then the more remote lines will not be maintained as often 
as lines with more customers.  A Diesel or propane powered generator would be 
a good investment if you have shop loads. 


Don Bowen        Awl Knotted Up        KI6DIU
http://www.braingarage.com

My travel journal
http://www.braingarage.com/Dons/Travels/journal/Journal.html