Posted on 10/07/2021 7:12:46 PM PDT by blam
The energy crisis that is rippling through Asia and Europe could unleash electricity shortages and blackouts in the U.S., according to Bloomberg.
Ernie Thrasher, CEO of Xcoal Energy & Resources LLC., told energy research firm IHS Markit that U.S. utilities quickly turn to more coal because of soaring natural gas prices.
“We’ve actually had discussions with power utilities who are concerned that they simply will have to implement blackouts this winter,” Thrasher warned.
He said, “They don’t see where the fuel is coming from to meet demand,” adding that 23% of utilities are switching away from gas this fall/winter to burn more coal.
With natgas, coal, and oil prices all soaring is a clear signal the green energy transition will take decades, not years. Walking back fossil fuels for unreliable clean energy has been a disaster in Asia and Europe. These power-hungry continents are scrambling for fossil fuel supplies as stockpiles are well below seasonal trends ahead of cooler weather.
A similar story is playing out in the U.S., where increased demand for coal might not be reached by mining companies. We noted Thursday morning that boosting output might be challenging due to years of decommissioning mines to reduce carbon emissions and transition the economy from fossil fuels to green energy. There’s also been a steady decline of miners over the last three and a half decades.
“That whole supply chain is stretched beyond its limits,” Thrasher said. “It’s going to be a challenging winter for us here in the United States.”
Utility company Duke Energy Corp.’s Piedmont Natural Gas unit, covering North and South Carolina customers, warned power bills this winter are set to rise due to high natgas prices and low production.
A pure-play coal company that is already benefiting from the demand surge and rising prices is Peabody Energy Corporation. As cooler weather fast approaches, the company may see increased demand for its thermal coal that utility companies use to produce electricity. On a technical basis, a so-called bullish “golden cross” was just triggered.
The troubled green energy transition gives the fossil fuel industry new hope, especially “Making Coal Great Again.”
BipolarBob :" Shut down more coal fired power plants.
Do it for Mudder erf.
WHOA!! Blackouts. Who could have predicted that???
But . .but . . wind power and . sumptin.
Women and children affected more."
BipolarBob :" What did we have before Democrats? ??
Electricity."
Meanwhile in California : " Gas-powered generators could be a thing of the past if the governor signs a new bill into law.
Posted: Oct 6, 2021 7:48 AM
Assembly Bill : 1346 would ban so-called small "off-road" engines and gasoline operated generators.
Source : https://www.actionnewsnow.com/content/news/Gas-powered-generators-could-be-phased-out-because-of-new-bill-575470501.html
Natural Gas costs have risen 7 !/2% this year, and it's not even the heating season.
Don't even look as the price of coal, because it will shock you (!), and knock your socks off !!
Maybe you should invest in 'Hoodies', gloves, insulated underwear, kerosene heaters, candles, etc.
Don't forget to check out weatherbell.com for their free winter weather report.
My advice? Gather all the dried cow chips you can before winter sets in. ;)
Funny. I seem to remember these EXACT SAME problems WAY BACK WHEN, when I was a teenager! (Carter! Grrrr!)
I wonder if Socialist Democrat POLICIES have ANYTHING to do with this?
Nah. Couldn’t be. I’m just an alarmist...an enemy combatant in my own country.
*SNORT*
Plan accordingly, FRiends. You are on your own.
“I hope this winter rivals 76 and 85 and the lights go out in big cities all over the country.”
I was 16 years old in 1976, growing up in Wisconsin. Yep. 1976 was a TERRIBLE winter! Ice Storm after ice storm! Electricity out for weeks at a time. We had to crawl on hands and knees to get across the street to check on neighbors. Everything was a sheet of ice, many inches thick!
But, the worst part? NO TELEPHONE for a Teenage Girl, LOL! No wonder it sticks with me. It was TRAUMATIC! ;)
Get ready for another Carter “sweater” speech—we all have to sacrifice for the common good—don’t be selfish...bla bla bla...
Jimmy Carter is why I have wood stoves and cords and cords of wood.
I never trusted the &^%%$# since then.
It might be prudent to look up how to modify a gas engine to run on charcoal, as well as how to make charcoal from assorted materials. That gives you a way to run your generator on home-grown fuel.
Prelim 2021-22 Winter Outlook
https://www.weatherbell.com/prelim-2021-22-winter-outlook
76 was the year it actually snowed a bit in the Bahamas. I can’t imagine living in Wisconsin in those types of winters.
I grew up in SE Louisiana where snow flurries shut down everything and sub-freezing forecast lows lead the local news LOL. Protect your pipes and tender vegetation...
We just need to get hold of our wood guy and get those cords in and we’ll be set.
If we get a sudden cold Dec and Jan after a warm fall, the snow it going to be a bear, especially in areas where lake effect snow is an issue.
Very warm lakes mean lots of snow when the cold air hits them.
I have enough wood to heat the house even though it is my 3rd back up heat system. Can’t trust the government to do anything right for the next 3 years.
Too much trouble. It’d be easier to make a moonshine still and make high octane alcohol or better yet get a diesel generator and run off of whatever oils you can get.
There. I'm just adding another possibility.
If you do, make sure you vent really well. These can be deadly (personal experience).
Otherwise, one of these might be a better alternative - and get the cylinders NOW.
Gritty gave you good advice. The MrHeater “Buddy” series are an excellent choice. Safe propane using 1 lb bottles, auto-cutoff Oxygen sensors, tipping cut+off and safe to use inside. I’ve used them for years
without problems.
Gritty gave you the Amazon link...however it’s important to read the reviews as most offerings are by resellers and there have been many that sell damaged returns.
The MrHeater direct site shows almost all models out of stock. Big box stores usually have shelf stock.
But buy now before the cold sets in and shelves get cleared...especially since distribution lines are snarled now.
BTW, didn’t you post asking about this same thing a few years back?
Gritty gave you good advice. The MrHeater “Buddy” series are an excellent choice. Safe propane using 1 lb bottles, auto-cutoff Oxygen sensors, tipping cut+off and safe to use inside. I’ve used them for years
without problems.
Gritty gave you the Amazon link...however it’s important to read the reviews as most offerings are by resellers and there have been many that sell damaged returns.
The MrHeater direct site shows almost all models out of stock. Big box stores usually have shelf stock.
But buy now before the cold sets in and shelves get cleared...especially since distribution lines are snarled now.
BTW, didn’t you post asking about this same thing a few years back?
That works too.
Well both sides hand out money to other countries for various reasons. But I agree America should tend to it’s business first and that’s not what Biden wants....he’s a global citizen follower like Obama.
When I was looking for an alternative heat rather than baseboard electric.....I ended up buying oil filled electric radiators...which I love...and love the way they heat.
But they are electric so useless in a blackout. Thus the reason of the discussion now. However I don’t think propane is the answer since I would be going against my landlord who isn’t comfortable about the idea of propane in this apartment.
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