You
Can't Take
Turning on
the Electricity
for Granted
Anymore

by
Bill
Seavey

Bill Seavey writes from experience. He tells us about putting solar panels on his RV as well as other innovative ideas that work.

Most of us take electricity and the so-called Power Grid completely for granted.

            Since nearly everyone fully expects the lights to go on when we flip a switch — same goes for our computers, TV’s, microwave ovens, electric dryers etc. — the dawning of a real Electricity Crisis in California has many incredulous and more than a few experiencing downright denial.   According to the California Independent System Operator, there will be a shortage of in-state generated power in California at least through 2002. Loosening up on environmental regulations will not suffice. This does NOT necessarily mean that the lights won’t go on when we flip the switch. PGE, for example, will work to prevent that possible eventuality as rigorously as they and other utilities nationwide fought off the Y2K bug.

            On the other hand, just such a rolling blackout COULD affect selected areas of the state — the saving grace being that there would most likely be some kind of a warning via the media much like we would get if we lived in Hurricane Alley.

            The numbers boggle the minds of most consumers. We are being told, by various sources, that in the past decade electricity use has increased 30% in California due to our obsession with computers, cell phones etc. (Not being suggested, however, is that an exploding population and ostentatious home sizes are also major factors). Only about six power plants are currently under construction and many are mothballed for various reasons.

            Another article I read recently suggests that in an average home 10% of electricity is wasted by “vampire appliances” that draw voltage while they are sitting idle READY to be turned on fully.

            Another number is that we could easily individually reduce our power consumption by 30% — if we implemented some conservation measures.

            I don’t know about you but my parents used to regularly tell me and my sister to flip off the lights. We weren’t poor. And this was back in the 50’s when electricity was plentiful and cheap. (Of course, we didn’t listen much.) Still, as an adult, I can tell you (and them) that it sunk in. I am constantly trying to turn off appliances not in use. One technique I have found useful — especially for most electronics — is to put them on a relatively inexpensive power strip with its own switch. You have to turn two switches off but at least you won’t be pulling plugs out of the wall constantly.

            I really see a time — San Diegans already did — when electricity prices are going to be the most expensive “utilities” coming into the house — more so possibly than natural gas, water, or sewer charges. It is simply time we prepared for this eventuality.

            A very few of us, who still live where the Rural Electrification Act of the 1930’s didn’t reach, know what it is like to be without power. It can be quite inconvenient even in warmer climates like ours. Just one example: there is no easy way to refrigerate perishables. There are propane (natural gas) powered refrigerators but they are expensive (though quite efficient). Few of us have root cellars any more, or even cellars for that matter. If you don’t have power for a day, you can lose anything frozen, and only a constant trip to the market for ice will keep the rest palatable/potable. And what if the vendors don’t have juice either?

            Lack of refrigeration was a concern when in late 1998 / early 1999 a few of us started becoming alarmed about the potential Year 2000 problem. Laugh at me if you will, but trillions were spent to make sure a crisis wouldn’t occur. Very fortunately, it didn’t. But now a new crisis is upon us.

            In the early 90’s I bought a small motorhome. I wanted to take it off the beaten path and I happened to stumble upon a Californian who had helped stage a “solar race car” competition across Australia. For about $500 he equipped my rig with a solar panel, some deep cycle batteries, and an inverter (which converts DC power to AC). To make a long story short, I had the RV in some pretty remote places — yet had electricity for all the basics — TV, lights, word processor, and pumps. Being “off grid” for the first time was a heady experience The few who have shared it say you’ll never look at electricity the same way. I didn’t, and don’t.

            With Y2K looming — and planning to take a small solar electric system to Mexico where I was building a small (900 sq. ft.) casa in a community of solar or alternative powered homes — I wired up the system into our bedroom in Santa Maria. For about $1000, we had power to run a color TV, apartment size fridge and lights, continuously. One night pre-Y2k, a storm caused a local outage. We had the only lights on in the whole neighborhood at the flip of a power strip switch.

            Today that same system is gathering dust in a storage shed, waiting to eventually be taken to Mexico. Now, however, I think it will just stay put for awhile — and I’ll keep it dusted!

            I proved that a small, affordable, one room emergency solar electricity system could be workable, especially in sun rich California. In the last couple years the cost of solar technology — including the photovoltaic panels and inverters — has come down 100%. The cost per kilowatt hour is now competitive with The Grid, especially if you prorate a system for 10-20 years. Imagine how affordable a system will be if electricity prices jump 50%-200%.

            I do not sell solar electric equipment so what I’m saying simply makes so much sense.

            According to a recent L.A. Times article, large and small businesses are starting to embrace in-house solar generating systems [see story on the Rosebud Agency on page 25] to make absolutely certain that the inevitable grid failures do not interrupt operations... AND to save money, of course.

            The bottom line is, we are living in an Era of Limits. Get used to it. Plan for it and you’ll be ahead of the flock. Do nothing and you’ll be forced to roll with every punch.

            Big Government and Big Corporations shouldn’t be depended upon to provide every need. The more you can provide for yourself, the better you’ll feel about it.

So why not start with electricity?

William L. Seavey is an author, teacher and activist. He recently wrote an 8 page special report on America’s Biggest Rip-offs: The Everyday Things We Take for Granted, and How Much They Are Truly Costing Us. He can be reached at (805) 481-0141 or wlseavey@hotmail.com