Electricity chasing gasoline prices?

[Mo_Gearhead]

From a current, local electric utility, magazine.

(snip)…“between now and 2030, consumer demand for electricity is expected to increase by 30 percent. To meet that demand our nation must add about 264,000 MW of power plant capacity”

“Climate Change policy has slowed power plant construction. Of 151 new coal plants announced since 2002, only 15 have been built.”

“If pending ‘Climate Change’ legislation is passed, your electric rate may increase by 150 to 200 percent”

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I am assuming the “expected increase” is normal growth. Can you imagine the mad house that will ensue should there indeed be a break through in battery technology and entire fleets of new electric cars come to market?

Thank you “Greens”!
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Also in the same magazine, a delightful article to warm the hearts of the ‘Greens’.

A Columbia MO. couple has installed a 4200 watt (capable), photo-voltaic array on the roof of their home. (ugly!) Initial cost: $50,000. In two years of operation, it has produced 7200 KWH of power. Or…(drum roll please) …about $600 worth of electricity. (Damn those cloudy days!) Quote from the wife: "We'll be dead before those are paid off!"

You can do the math and calculate the payback period.

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The USA needs nuclear power plants and we need them fast-tracked ...NOW!

[berettafan]

I sit on the utility commission for the town i live in (we own our lines and a smallish generation plant) and rates are the current hot issue. We even made the 'regional' news over this issue. We buy the bulk of our electricity from a major provider and some is generated. We have a PCA charge which essentially covers the cost of the generation plant and the short version is that the PCA adjustment was actually as much as the electric (base) bill last month!

The distribution and plant were slotted to be sold last year but complications arose and now we appear to be stuck with it. Not a fun time.

We even have a local aspiring politico hosting a community meeting at a local school (posters all over town advertising this) to supposedly explain the problem and the solution. Of course said folks don't take the time to come to council and utility commission meetings and ask informed questions nor offer suggestions/insight.

Total mess and very hard on fixed income old folks who live in 100yr old homes.