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November 25, 2005
Energy policy in production
I think that there are many good examples of technologies that could be used for energy reduction / production along with farm operations. The following is just one example. If you have a good example, send it to me (wrolley@charter.net) and I will post it.
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When farmers are willing to think seriously about the energy costs of their operation they can often find creative ways to produce their own energy while reducing the polluting effects of their operation. One very good example comes from the small dairy operation of Marin County, CA, dairy operator Albert Straus. Strauss has installed a methane digester system at his 270 cow dairy farm. The methane produced is used to power, among other things, a 75 kilowatt electric generator.
This story was originally publised in the San Francisco Chronicle. This story was recently updated by San Francisco's CBS affiliate KPIX Ch. 5 this week. Straus Farms has saved over half of their initial investment in the 18 months that they have been in operation. I am trying to get access to a video of that segment and will place the link here if successful.
Note: there are two things that make this viable: net metering and some offset of the original capital cost. The most important is the California net metering law, a subject that has been discussed on ruralgreen email list, especially as it relates to Michigan and their utilities.
Posted by Wes at 05:10 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
November 01, 2005
Energy Proposal
I propose that the Rural Greens work for decentralization of the power grid, and that we:
- advocate placing wind farms in industrial parks close to places of high
demand;
- encourage urban planners to incorporate rooftop solar panels;
- oppose the use of rural or wild land for mega-energy projects, including the unhealthy and unsightly giant power lines that already scar parts of the West, Mid-West, and Old Northwest;
- demand rural electrification grids be local and built to appropriate scale to serve only the area's rural needs;
- promote the idea of an energy-luxury-use tax, which will put the burden of higher energy prices on those using energy in wasteful, high-consumption ways (example: SUVs, large motor boats, electrified grass whips, toothbrushes, toys, etc.);
- advocate for simpler, truly earth-gentle lifestyles and building and zoning codes that foster such living rather than make it impossible.
Posted by Wes at 12:00 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack