2007: A big story you might have missed. I did.

I am not sure how I missed this story but, being a sailor to me it is big news! 2007 was an historic year because the first transatlantic passage by solar power was achieved. It seems to have been covered by most of the major news organizations (at least online) but, I guess Brittany Spears probably got more air time. Anyway you can read about this historic crossing here and here and there are some great clips on You Tube also. This is big news! The kind of big news that the big oil companies want you to forget about as soon as possible.

Speaking of energy

The natural gas meter for my house is located inside my house. Because my life keeps me on the go quite a bit it seems I have never been home when the meter reader comes by. So it has been a long time since the meter was read. So I went to Gas utilities website a few days later to see what the bill would be. Since I have modified my 1980's installed solar hot water system to provide heat for the house I figured that the gas company's estimated billing should give me some savings. They still had an estimated bill number for the account balance. Strange I thought the meter readers updated numbers should have been entered by now. So I tried to enter the actual gas meter numbers my self. The Gas Company's computer kicked it back saying: "According to our projections regarding usage you should have a reading of 1120-1175 ( my actual reading was 848). It refused to believe the numbers so i had to call a talk to a person and explain I have modified my solar hot water panels to provide heat into the house and have also made other solar and energy efficient changes to my fifty year old house to help heat it. She finally entered the new numbers into the computer and I receive a new updated bill with a $650 credit. Kaching! Houston you do have a problem because I have only begun to make energy efficient modifications to the rancho de BCP. My personal energy plan is about more money in my pocket and less heading to Houston and Saudi Arabia. Stay tuned!

Greening our schools with green from our wallets?

I spend much as much of my time as I can during the summer on a sailboat in the waters around Long Island. I am very much involved and aware of the natural surroundings and live with a small footprint and green with my solar panels, no air conditioning etc...but I am still able to enjoy a cold beer. When I am forced back to land I continue to keep my lifestyle the same. The solar panels that were on the boat are taken down and used to drive fans that pump solar heated air around the house. Helping my personal energy policy know as SST (starving the Saudis and Texans) it is working pretty good and every year I improve on my efficiency.
While I do practice energy efficiency in my daily life as much as possible. I am a little suspect of the recent buzz about "greening our schools". I am suspect about organizations that have as an action plan "Form a committee". Pretty soon all kinds of organizations and businesses are piling on spending money for the sake of "going green". Saving energy in homes and schools often does not require alot of money especially taxpayers money which seems is easier to spend for those in school districts than their own. As I move back on land I will be posting on this blog some of the things I do around Rancho BCP to save energy and money. They are not expensive and do help to save money, energy and the planet and you don't need to join a committee to do them.

Time for new energy

As the summer winds down the Washington Post has an article about some companies exploring new clean energy technologies. I am reminded it is time for me to think about ramping up the BCP energy plan for winter. I'll be posting about it from time to time in the near future.

I got your energy plan. Right here!

Two influential House Democrats backed away yesterday from proposals that had split members of their party and delayed debate on energy legislation that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) has vowed to pass before July 4.-Washington Post

What a surprise! This is why I don't wait for Washington to solve the country's energy problems. I have my own energy policy which is to keep as much money in my pocket and put less into the wallets of the Texans and Saudis. And it is working! In fact sometimes to much. This week the BCP energy plan is to cover up the solar panels on the roof because the sun is causing too much heat to be contained in the storage tank. That is my energy plan this week.