As I mentioned in the last post, the goal is to reduce the amount paid for propane and electricity by 60%. Not only does this reduction put more money in our pocket, it increases the value of the home. I believe that an energy efficient home is going to become a hot issue with buyers as the cost of energy continues to increase. More over, the goal is to keep the cost recovery period to a minimum. Achieving the goal requires both conservation and alternate forms of energy.
You would think that belonging to an electric co-op would shield you from radical and unexpected bill increases at the whim of the board of directors. It is a myth. In December of last year, Beartooth Electric double the cost of electricity with no warning. They raised the meter charge, the rate, and tacked on a surcharge with no advanced notice. The surcharge is for the Highwood Generating Project. This project was to save us money. Instead, it is costing us a fortune due to pay the bills on a plant that missed the funding deadline. The board blames the environmentalist lawsuits. I say, they failed to properly calculate the risk, when presenting the proposal. In any case, the members suffer and not the board. They are destroying the lives of those who live on a fixed income. They are destroying the ability to sell property by having fluctuating rates. The promise was they would go down. The reality is different.
The only real solution is to reduce our dependency on both propane and electricity. My goal is to cut our usage by at least 60%. It won’t be easy, but it is possible through a combination of energy conservation and shifting to alternate energy sources.
Green is now a hot buzzword, but it is not a new concept. Saving energy and using renewable resources are not new concepts. The high price of energy merely raises their importance. Recycling is nothing new, we just need to practice it more often. Going green can’t be done by the government. Oil companies are not going to lead the way. It has to start with the individual. It starts with doing small things that save energy. It starts with be awaring that the individual makes the biggest difference.
This blog is our story of what we are doing to make a difference. It is a personal journey, with all the twists and turns.
