Re: safe energy sources


"Els van Dam" <jacoba@xxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:jacoba-0501062317500001@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

> I was not in on the beginning of this post, but next to hydro, there is
> also wind power and solar power. Heat pumps are also appearing all over
> the place. Some of these may cost a bit more to install but in the end
> they are going to be the tools of the future.
>
> Els

Els, this discuss was under the "MINERS FOUND" thread, and I thought I'd
change the name for clarity.

I had forgotten about heat pumps - yes, they are great. There is a huge new
subdivision being planned for Winnipeg, and the designers are talking about
using heat pumps for heating/cooling the housing instead of hydro. Wind
power was mentioned in my post - regarding a huge wind farm being
constructed in rural Manitoba, with more to come. When I was in Palm
Springs a few years ago, while touring around, I saw a huge wind farm out in
the desert. I don't think nuclear power is the way to go at all.
Chernobyl is a perfect example of why not, and as mentioned, there is the
"small" matter of spent rods from the reactors to be disposed of.

Shelagh

(Amanda wrote)
> > > The sad thing right now with regards to safer energy sources, is that
> > > the only other economically feasible sources--oil and nuclear energy--
> > > are safer, but not really by much. Oil spills, industrial accidents,
> > > radioactive waste are all unsafe for more than just the workers.
> > > Solar, hydroelectric, and wind are Green and safe for workers, but not
> > > economically feasible.

(Shelagh wrote)
> > Sorry - I don't agree with you there. Here in Manitoba, Canada, most of
our
> > power is hydroelectric. In fact we call it "hydro", not electricity.
We
> > generate so much power, we sell it to other provinces and some states.
Our
> > Hydro is owned by the province and generates profits every year.
Recently a
> > large wind farm has been set up by private industry with more to come.
It
> > may be a little more expensive for wind power, but I would gladly pay to
> > have it. As it is, our electricity (hydro) rates are among the lowest
in
> > North America. It also provides jobs for thousands of people.
> >
(Amanda)
> > >Hydrogen and natural gas are about the closest
> > > I've seen for any time in the near future (maaaaybe biodeisel, but
> > > that's still dependant on petroleum).
> >
(Shelagh)
> > Natural gas prices are doing the same thing as the price of gas for your
> > car. I saw a thing on the news the other day that from one year ago,
> > gasoline prices have gone up by 40%, and natural gas prices by 80%.
I'm
> > really glad I have electric heat and don't have to depend on natural gas
to
> > keep me warm. We also have a woodstove for emergencies if the power
happens
> > to go out.
> >
(Amanda)
> > > South American countries are
> > > doing well with ethanol made from sugar cane, but I don't see that as
a
> > > crop that will be mass produced in the US any time soon, at least not
> > > without a huge shift in our transportation systems.
> >
(Shelagh)
> > We also produce methanol here on the prairies from wheat. It is sold in
> > regular gas stations by one company called "Mohawk". And I know wheat
is
> > grown in the US. ;>)
> >
> > Shelagh


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