Energy Co-op Brings Power to the People

Peak Moment 142: What if a community owned its electric utility cooperatively, rather than paying a for-profit company? Plumas-Sierra Rural Electric Cooperative could be a model. Energy Services manager Jessica Nelson describes how this locally owned, democratically governed non-profit serves the good of the community. Besides lower rates, customers benefit from incentives to conserve electricity, install geothermal heating/cooling systems, and solar panels (photovoltaics). The coop's dream? To not only distribute power but to generate it -- through a wind turbine project. http://www.psln.com

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• wind
• energy

[scarmenl]

You will have it made when you all wake up and start co-op alcohol for fuel production that is not modeled on large industry so that it is not reliant on rising and falling oil prices to be in business. Then your area can keep some of its farmers in business by having them grow the fuel crop for you and you then control your fuel and drop all fuel burning emissions in your area through the floor. That way when big oil screws with the price to kill your efforts it will have no effect.

[peakmoment]

Just read earlier today that some folks who have experimented with small scale alcohol found they could do it, okay, but not at the scale they'd even need for their own vehicles. Looks like there are some challenges remaining.

[frankodelic]

thanks for leading the way

[valhala56]

I don't know why people hate looking at wind mills, I think they look cool. I seen a bunch of them in Iowa and it was the hightlight of trip, which isn't saying much about I Iowa but it got me thinking in Wind energy and such.

[westkan]

If the dude has a lot of it to dump, he may be Pn away good money

[scarmenl]

I keep forgetting to say that although I don't agree with every last word that is said. I think your video interviews are GREAT! The info and the possibility of better, cleaner is wonderful. Please keep up the good work and don't be discouraged because knuckle draggers like me have to put in our views and don't do it very well.

This guy is the type of knuckle dragger that will fight to the last drop to keep people like you and your group able to bring your information to the people. Thanks.

[scarmenl]

Don't know everything by a long shot, but am learning a great deal for "Alcohol can be a gas" by David Blume. I will also admit my background in welding and fitting leaves me with a different view of what can and can't be done. Also knowledge publications has great books on alcohol and a wide range of subjects that people looking for energy independence should look at.

Don't claim there is no effort required just that the independence, environment and air would be good.

[permacultureli]

this model needs to arise world wide ...for benefit and well being of the collectivity, from and by the collectivity....and in all fields.

here in Mexico, cultural fixations, "being" head of this or that... get in the way of these collectivities arising, but only such a horizontal model could reform education, agriculture, culture...almost everything that for the moment just lingers in a state of dysfunctionality....complete and widespread.

[32937isready]

I know a guy who dump his used oil in the Pacific Ocean. I told him not to do that but he still does it.

[vention4wh]

Nice! It's a win win situation. The people win. Be careful though, Corporations are your enemy. They've been known to go out of their way to squash anything that competes with the corporate model.