Energy is never really free
It is Wednesday, the day after the election, and Todd Rokita won the House of Representatives. Dr. Michael Fons predicted dire consequences should Mr. Rokita win, but win he did. We conservatives in Indiana have someone in Washington, D.C. fighting to keep government out of our lives. Inexpensive energy, notably coal, nuclear and fossil fuels, drives the engine of freedom and freedom is what we conservatives will continue to fight for. Renewable energy is certainly a worthwhile goal, but since most if not all renewable energy like solar and wind generators rely heavily on government subsidies, the concept is just not ready for prime time.
Just like a journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step, so does a plan to convert millions of people to renewable energy starts with a single person. That would be you, Dr. Fons. If you are so adamantly opposed to coal-powered electricity, stop using it. Go off-grid. The magazine Mother Earth News is an excellent resource for self-sustainability, and I am sure there are others. Solar panels are available for home use, as are small wind generators. Four solar panels will give you a whole kilowat of power. Several dozen panels might give you enough electricity to live in the manner to which you have become accustomed. Last time I checked, which was a few years ago, solar panels ran a measly $1,000 apiece. (Just remember that solar panels don’t last forever. They tend to need major repair or replacement every 10-20 years or so.) Add in a bank of batteries and you might be able to power your computer when it’s dark outside. Throw in a EPA-certified wood stove and you might keep warm this winter. (Wood is a renewable resource, you know.)
Although I am not a scientist as defined by Dr. Fons, I am an observer of the natural world in which I live. Although I was not born in Indiana, I have lived here for over 20 years. I am also a gardener. The only thing I can say about the weather and the climate is that the only thing constant about it is change. No two years are the same. Some years are good for growing tomatoes, other years better for green beans. This year I had a bumper crop of everything while another year not much grew without a lot of help. Different weather patterns even affect animal health. Every year finds a different set of problems to deal with, from worms in goats and sheep to fleas and ticks in dogs and cats.
I feel extremely blessed to live in America, land of the free. Inexpensive, dependable electricity fuels our way of life. We often forget how much we depend on electricity until the power goes out. Living in the country, we are better prepared than most for power failures, but doing anything without electricity, like cooking a meal or flushing a toilet is a lot more difficult. While I am blessed to make a living doing what I love, others are not so fortunate. Some people have to struggle just to survive and try to make a decent living for their families. If electricity is not as dependable and costs a whole lot more, these are the people and families who will suffer the most. Renewable energy may well be in our future, but we need to let the real world determine when this will be, not the lofty wishes of those not grounded in reality. Energy and electricity need to serve the needs of all, not just the privileged few.
One more thing about renewable energy. Energy is not free, not even “free” energy. Solar panels and wind farms have been known to affect weather in their local environments. It could be that large-scale renewable energy facilities could affect climate far more than conventional energy sources.
Oh, and Dr. Fons, check in with us from time to time and let us know how your off-grid experiment is going.
Darcy L. Clark Crook DVM
New Ross
