Electric company

[Brattt8525]

A Complaint was made about an electric bill and this is what they said:

Dear Electric Customer,
Just a little note to let you know we understand your anger in the recent price hike. But it should be noted that you have no choice. We are a big company and you will pay what we tell you. You have no choice. We have the power, you need the power. So sad, too bad. Sucks to be you. We have enclosed a little picture to help outline our response. Have a nice day and keep those checks coming, loser!

Sincerely,

Your Local Power Co

[Syberus]

Well most electric companies are natural monopolies, and therefore are usually regulated by some kind of state or city board to make sure that prices aren't set where profit maximizing for the company would occur. I do realize this is a joke (I hope) but if you do have a legitmate complaint you may be better off trying to get ahold of the regulatory board than the company itself.

[Sean of the Thread]

Our rates are going up too because their insurance didn't cover their hurricane expenses. Boo fukin hooo.

All being said the power company did an excellent job here this hurricane season and I appreciate the men and women that worked their ass off on 18 hour shifts non stop for weeks.

[AnticorRifling]

I betting that gave Tayre wood.

[Tsa`ah]

Easy solution.

Wind turbine, solar cell, battery, transformer.

No more bills outside of upkeep.

[Nakiro]

Heh. I read a report on solar panels.

It takes more energy to produce and maintain a solar panel then the total energy output a typical panel will produce in its lifetime.

[Tsa`ah]

Got sources?

Experience says the opposite to me.

[Valthissa]

Originally posted by Nakiro
Heh. I read a report on solar panels.

It takes more energy to produce and maintain a solar panel then the total energy output a typical panel will produce in its lifetime.

This is a myth (in terms of 2004 technology).

probably leftover from the 80's when it might have been true.

http://www.nrel.gov/

provides data supporting a 5 year break even point for typical solar panels.

I think the real issue with solar power is that coal is currently running around .07 cents per kilowatt hour and a typical solar panel is still in the .90 cents per kwh range.

There are certainly costs to the environment that are not included in either calculation. My opinion is that sometime this century a total environmental/societal cost analysis methods will become widely accepted, allowing governments to appropriately tax various forms of energy. It would be interesting to see how far the gap in costs could be closed between traditional energy sources and the alternatives.

C/Valth

[Suppa Hobbit Mage]

Hydroelectric is the way to go.

[Parkbandit]

Originally posted by Suppa Hobbit Mage
Hydroelectric is the way to go.

THEN YOU KILL FISH AND MAKE BEAVERS MAD!

Fucking Republicans, they don't care about the environment. What's next.. more POWER PLANTS IN CALIFORNIA TO KEEP UP WITH DEMAND! DRILLING FOR OIL IN THE UNINHABBITED AREAS OF ALASKA?

You bastard.

[Back]

Actually, if we could tap some of the bullshit that flys around here, we could power a city like NY for years!

[Tsa`ah]

If you ask any electric utility provider, they will say that alternatives are more costly. What they don't tell you and what they avoid addressing are the passive benefits.

Any stand alone solar panel system will be slightly more costly than a standard provider. However, if the panels are protected physically (plexi shields) and systematically (dormant protective modes ... facing down in high winds, storms, and at night) while a wind turbine takes the load ... the costs of repair and maintenance are drastically reduced.

The passive benefits are never mentioned by the utility companies. Your light bulbs, your refrigeration compressors, your television, your computer, stereo, heater, and anything else that operates for long periods of time from an electric current are all costs. Dirty power, meaning power that surges up and down the spectrum, shortens the life span of your electrically operated comforts. Surging electricity causes harsher loads and stress ... adding to the costs of repair and replacement.

An independent alternative system charges a deep cell battery, or series of batteries. The power flows from the batteries to a transformer to your home in a very cohesive and consistent wattage and voltage. You don't replace light bulbs very often, your electric motors don't crap out on you and your electronics last longer.

Take the total average costs and compare the two ... the alternatives win out every time.

[Suppa Hobbit Mage]

My "unit" is powered by "dirty power"

[CrystalTears]

Originally posted by Backlash
Actually, if we could tap some of the bullshit that flys around here, we could power a city like NY for years!

You're being kind. I'd say the whole U.S. of A. :D