Electric Bills Expected to Rise

Helena · 07-09-2008, 11:09 PM

Electric bills expected to rise

Electricity forecast for 2009 is up sharply from last month; increase in price of natural gas a factor.

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- Americans may face dramatically higher electric bills next year, according to a government report released Tuesday.

The U.S. Energy Information Administration forecast that electricity prices will climb an average of 9.8% in 2009. Only a month ago, the agency was forecasting a 3.6% increase for next year.

Electricity prices may spike more than expected - Jul. 9, 2008

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ziggy29 · 07-10-2008, 06:48 AM

Not sure how higher energy prices is still "news," but okay...

Notmuchlonger · 07-10-2008, 07:23 AM

So Helena how do you feel about the higher prices?

Helena · 07-10-2008, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Notmuchlonger

So Helena how do you feel about the higher prices?

I say it's a good thing my house is paid off. Here in Texas,
my electric bill goes through the roof in the summertime.

The future belongs to space solar generated electricity...
but hardly anyone speaks of it anymore. Back in the 70s,
during our last energy crisis, NASA had men on the moon.
Today, NASA has returned to Mars, but still no one hardly
speaks of space solar. In the 1990s Congress asked NASA
officials to develop space solar. In 2001, after a positive
three year study, NASA asked for funding and received
government funding for a space solar program. Then, just
a few months later... right before 9-11... NASA's space solar
program was [supposedly] suddenly canceled without explanation.

I asked my [NASA scientist] brother about space solar and he
said: " it would initially be quite expensive, but the $$$ spent
on the war in Iraq would be a good start. "

I say: Make space solar electricity, not war !!

~

Patrick · 07-10-2008, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Helena

I say it's a good thing my house is paid off. Here in Texas,
my electric bill goes through the roof in the summertime.

The future belongs to space solar generated electricity...
but hardly anyone speaks of it anymore. Back in the 70s,
during our last energy crisis, NASA had men on the moon.
Today, NASA has returned to Mars, but still no one hardly
speaks of space solar. In the 1990s Congress asked NASA
officials to develop space solar. In 2001, after a positive
three year study, NASA asked for funding and received
government funding for a space solar program. Then, just
a few months later... right before 9-11... NASA's space solar
program was [supposedly] suddenly canceled without explanation.

I asked my [NASA scientist] brother about space solar and he
said: " it would initially be quite expensive, but the $$$ spent
on the war in Iraq would be a good start. "

I say: Make space solar electricity, not war !!

~

Why not earth-based solar? It's already been developed. All that's needed is a ramp-up in production and economies of scale will make it economically viable.

Zathras · 07-10-2008, 11:41 AM

I think both have a role to play.
Personally, land based solar is here today, so I will be happy to take advantage of it.

Helena · 07-10-2008, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patrick

Why not earth-based solar? It's already been developed. All that's needed is a ramp-up in production and economies of scale will make it economically viable.

A friend of mine who runs his ranch on earth based solar energy
told me why... because in space the sun shines 24/7.

~

Notmuchlonger · 07-10-2008, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Helena

A friend of mine who runs his ranch on earth based solar energy
told me why... because in space the sun shines 24/7.

~

Solar an alternative for you folks living in Texas?

REWahoo · 07-10-2008, 05:22 PM

Only when the sun shines...

Marquette · 07-10-2008, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by REWahoo

Only when the sun shines...

You could use a battery backup for the other two days.

REWahoo · 07-10-2008, 07:00 PM

How many D cells will I need to power a 3 ton, 14 SEER unit?

Patrick · 07-10-2008, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Helena

A friend of mine who runs his ranch on earth based solar energy
told me why... because in space the sun shines 24/7.

~

How do they propose to get the power down to earth? Reflect it down in a beam? If so, I hope they don't miss the target area. Don't tell me they want to use a really long extension cord . . .

Also, if the collector is a satellite, it will probably be subject to blackouts anyway, especially if it's geosynchronous over the U.S.

harley · 07-10-2008, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patrick

How do they propose to get the power down to earth? Reflect it down in a beam? If so, I hope they don't miss the target area. Don't tell me they want to use a really long extension cord . . .

Also, if the collector is a satellite, it will probably be subject to blackouts anyway, especially if it's geosynchronous over the U.S.

If it is geosynchronous, they will be able to use an extension cord. I'm still waiting for the space elevator.

Harley

Bestwifeever · 07-10-2008, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patrick

How do they propose to get the power down to earth? Reflect it down in a beam? If so, I hope they don't miss the target area. Don't tell me they want to use a really long extension cord . . .

Also, if the collector is a satellite, it will probably be subject to blackouts anyway, especially if it's geosynchronous over the U.S.

Giant batteries that will be shot down to our individual homes guided by GPS?

Quote:

I say it's a good thing my house is paid off. Here in Texas,
my electric bill goes through the roof in the summertime.

Helena, does electricity cost less where you are if your house is paid off?

We haven't run our AC yet (we're in Chicago) and summer is almost half over--take that, electric company! Our new $12 Walmart window fan in the bedroom is doing the trick at night--it blows hot air out until we go to bed, then we turn it around and it blows cooler air in. Bonus is the white noise. Suppose it gets a little too warm in Texas to rely on this method....

Patrick · 07-10-2008, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by harley

If it is geosynchronous, they will be able to use an extension cord. I'm still waiting for the space elevator.

Harley

How much would a 35,000 km long cord weigh and what would the resistance losses in the wire be? Sounds like a pipe dream to me.

harley · 07-10-2008, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patrick

How much would a 35,000 km long cord weigh and what would the resistance losses in the wire be? Sounds like a pipe dream to me.

Sorry, should have used a smiley.

That was sarcasm. But don't feel bad, I've been married for 29 years and my DW still hasn't figured out my alleged sense of humor either.

Harley

Helena · 07-10-2008, 10:14 PM

One day, space solar will provide the planet with
clean unlimited electricity. Even the scoffers may
live to see it.

Patrick · 07-10-2008, 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Helena

One day, space solar will provide the planet with
clean unlimited electricity. Even the scoffers may
live to see it.

OK, I'll bite. How exactly is it supposed to work?

Helena · 07-10-2008, 11:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patrick

OK, I'll bite. How exactly is it supposed to work?

NASA Spaces on Energy Solution

NASA Spaces on Energy Solution

How to harvest solar power? Beam it down from space!

How to harvest solar power? Beam it down from space! - CNN.com

Can Earth Be Powered by Energy Beamed From Moon?

Can Earth Be Powered by Energy Beamed From Moon?

A854321 · 07-10-2008, 11:13 PM

OK I'll bit even harder: How do I invest in this?

07-09-2008, 11:09 PM	#1
Helena Recycles dryer sheets Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 338	Electric Bills Expected to Rise Electric bills expected to rise Electricity forecast for 2009 is up sharply from last month; increase in price of natural gas a factor. NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- Americans may face dramatically higher electric bills next year, according to a government report released Tuesday. The U.S. Energy Information Administration forecast that electricity prices will climb an average of 9.8% in 2009. Only a month ago, the agency was forecasting a 3.6% increase for next year. Electricity prices may spike more than expected - Jul. 9, 2008 ~

07-10-2008, 06:48 AM	#2
ziggy29 Thinks s/he gets paid by the post Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Texas Hill Country Posts: 1,619	Not sure how higher energy prices is still "news," but okay... __________________ FIRE Clock: 11:37 PM. When it's midnight, I can be FIREd!

07-10-2008, 07:23 AM	#3
Notmuchlonger Thinks s/he gets paid by the post Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 2,398	So Helena how do you feel about the higher prices? __________________ .

07-10-2008, 11:41 AM	#6
Zathras Full time employment: Posting here. Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 509	I think both have a role to play. Personally, land based solar is here today, so I will be happy to take advantage of it. __________________ "We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children. (Ancient Indian Proverb)"

07-10-2008, 05:22 PM	#9
REWahoo Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Texas Hill Country Posts: 10,193	Only when the sun shines... __________________ Some claim to have a crystal ball when it comes to investing in stocks and real estate. Me, I've got a disco ball... Retired in 2005 at age 58 - better FIREd late than never.

07-10-2008, 07:00 PM	#11
REWahoo Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Texas Hill Country Posts: 10,193	How many D cells will I need to power a 3 ton, 14 SEER unit? __________________ Some claim to have a crystal ball when it comes to investing in stocks and real estate. Me, I've got a disco ball... Retired in 2005 at age 58 - better FIREd late than never.

07-10-2008, 10:14 PM	#17
Helena Recycles dryer sheets Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 338	One day, space solar will provide the planet with clean unlimited electricity. Even the scoffers may live to see it.

07-10-2008, 11:13 PM	#20
A854321 Recycles dryer sheets Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 255	OK I'll bit even harder: How do I invest in this?