Independence or a new dependency?
05.02.10
We shifted our dependence from the normal grid to mainly propane brought in by truck every couple of months. So we were in effect reliant on the civil infrastructure such as a good road network to bring the propane to our place of residence. I am gradually losing the use of my legs and the doctor tells me I will end up in a wheel chair eventually. I am not in a position to back pack 20 pound propane containers any distance through rough terrain. Delivery of propane to refill a 100 pound propane tank was a better choice for me.
If the pilot project of the cellulose digester works out , we still need a road infrastructure to transport the fuel from source to end user( me) as well as roads to transport wood waste to the digester in the first place. And we still need electricity for light if nothing else. In that respect it is very little differnt from the petroleum industry we now have. Main difference being the raw feed stock is now delivered by truck instead of pipeline.
Source: Off-Grid
The Gas Company Offers Safety Tips to Prevent Carbon-Monoxide Poisoning
02.02.10
The cold, wet wintry weather in Southern
California over the past month has caused people to fire up their furnaces
and, for some, be exposed to potential carbon-monoxide poisoning. Southern California Gas Co. (The Gas
Company) is urging customers to ensure their equipment is operating
safely by taking advantage of the utility's free furnace inspections.
"While carbon-monoxide poisoning incidents are rare, we usually see a rise
in the number of occurrences when the weather gets really cold," said
Richard M. Morrow, vice president of customer services for The Gas Company.
"Often, the cause of carbon monoxide in a home is due to a problem with the
furnace, so we're urging customers to be safe and get their furnaces
inspected by a licensed, qualified professional."
The utility also warns against using ovens, ranges or outdoor barbecues for
home heating. These appliances are not designed for such use and pose a
severe and potentially fatal risk of carbon-monoxide poisoning if used for
space heating.
Source: CNNMoney.com (press release)