John Edwards on Nuclear Power, Alternative Power, Coal Power

[OKIsItJustMe]

From last night's Democratic debate:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ldvu4KFjyN4

[MessiahRp]

1. Gotta love Russert's dismissal of Wind and Solar.

I truly believe both could power us into the next millenium if we wanted to but why would we do that when both are unlimited and free? Got to make money off of energy sources.... Kind of the same way I view the healthcare industry. Why make a cure when you make so much more money giving smaller doses of treatment medicines?

Rp

[OKIsItJustMe]

2. There will still be money to be made

Some individuals will be able to erect their own power systems using wind and solar. Many (if not most) will not.

There will still be a role to be played by utilities. They will erect large systems, and sell power to consumers just as they do now.

For individuals who erect their own power systems, most will purchase the pieces (solar panels, wind turbines and such) from corporations.

[DCKit]

3. If enough individuals and smaller companies do it...

it won't matter what the utilities think, do or don't do. It is possible to run a comfortably independent home on an investment of 10K, provided you are willing to relinquish your God given right to waste energy.

However, look for the utilities to begin attacks on every facet of the net metering laws. I've already heard of several instances where an electric utility has tried to inflate both the connection and (unnecessary) safety equipment charges beyond the ability of any small producer. That's going to be the fight in the near future and the election of corporatist candidates to the Presidency, House and Senate would ensure a repeal of that legislation.