Al,
Hubby and I have lived off the grid for about 12 years. No, it's not as cheap as on the grid, but it is possible. We are middle class, and far from rich. Yes, we do still need petroleum products in the form of propane to power our generator when solar and wind and batteries fail us, and we need gasoline to get from here to there. However, we believe it is possible for this country to stop it's addiction to imported oil.
On TV, you apparently are interested in connecting to the people. I assume it is to run for office. Personally, I hope you do not. I hope you will continue to fight for the environment and a U.S. free from imported oil. That is my hope and dream as well. I believe it is possible. In fact, I know it is. However, it will take powerful people, like yourself, to make it happen.
There is a lot of development in our area. Unfortunately, most of the CC&Rs restrict the use of things like wind generators. Also, PNM, our local power monopoly, requires that any homeowner who wants to sell solar power back to them, must not have batteries in their power system. What kind of deal is that? Who in their right mind would install solar panels (not cheap) without batteries? This state is one of the very best in the nation to utilize solar energy, and out local power company does not want the help of the ordinary citizen to produce power. Basically, they want to keep their power monopoly. They want no help. They think they can do it on their own. (Yeah, right.)
I believe that this state could use your influence to help get us "off the dime" in terms of solar energy. OK, maybe the power monopoly should manage the power, but why don't they allow private citizens to assist? It just seems wrong to me.
I know that there are many private citizens, us included, would could and would handle the production of extra solar (and wind) power that could be beneficial to the grid. Heaven knows the grid could use more input.
This state has more sunny days that pretty much anywhere else (save AZ). We also have a significant rural community that could and (wants to) produce power that PNM could use. Oh, yeah, they may have to bring lines out to the rural areas to gather that source. (Gee, they may have to do it at their own expense. What a bummer.)
If there were rules in place that would not only allow rural people to feed power to PNM, but also tax incentives to help them put such systems in place, this state could be in a whole lot better place. We now are an oil and gas producing role, but those are finite resources. Solar and wind are endless.
Please help us change the state of New Mexico and the way power is produced nationally. Help us get off the oil pipeline and the coal seduction.
Hey, how about you come here, and we'll hold a block party for all the neighbors (most are over 1 mile away, but we'll invite them anyway) and we'll have a BBQ to spread the word?
Wouldn't it be great if everybody could install a solar array or a wind generator and feed it back to PNM or reduce their consumption of coal energy?
Off the grid for 12 years,
Susan
Sun Country Gems
http://www.suncountrygems.comP.S. Know anybody who wants to buy a purebred Arabrian horse? He's well trained and beautiful. (See my blog for details.)