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What if the lights go out?

In our wired society, surviving even a day without electricity can be a hardship (Just ask the nearly 2 million of us who lost it last October). But thanks to the combination of freak storms and a groaning grid, darker days may still be ahead.

By Neil Swidey

 |   

  February 03, 2012

In our wired society, surviving even a day without electricity can be a hardship. But thanks to the combination of freak storms and a groaning grid, darker days may still be ahead.

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Comments

Yes, having you own wind turbine and a bunch of a solar panels sounds like a great idea -- if you're sitting on 27 acres in Vermont. What about those of us with 6,000 square feet in suburban or urban areas?

Good luck trying to install a wind turbine in any of our NIMBY suburbs. In CA, there are now lawsuits filed against neighbors because of the glare from installed solar panels. Plus, the cost for a wind generator (and associated battery system, electrical interconnections, converters,) solar panels, and back up generator, even with all the tax credits, are not affordable for most homeowners. And most certainly not cost effective on a Kw/h basis.

Democrats have NO EXCUSE leaving us so unprepared!