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To: biblewonk
I think the problem with natural gas is the sudden increase in demand caused by dozens and dozens of gas fired power plants.

It was either gas fired or coal plants since I don't believe there's been a nuclear unit licensed stateside in the last 25 years or more. Natural gas offers ease of transport, clean, economical, etc but I still think it should be limited and reserved for the value it has other than heat.

At some point in time they will produce electricity off the coast of CA and other places in the ocean using the temperature difference top to bottom of the ocean water of just a few degrees. I think they have a few small units running in some places like Hawaii. I'm not sure what the break even cost is of that technology is today...

Passive solar is fine but it takes people who will adjust to using it rather than the normal mentality of flipping a switch for instant power/heat/cool.

Take care.

42 posted on 12/05/2003 8:38:20 AM PST by deport
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To: deport
It was either gas fired or coal plants since I don't believe there's been a nuclear unit licensed stateside in the last 25 years or more. Natural gas offers ease of transport, clean, economical, etc but I still think it should be limited and reserved for the value it has other than heat.

The fuel price alone for natural gas fired plants is 5 cents per kwhr. That price fluxuates wildly based on other demands. The fuel price for coal plants is probably about a penny per kwhr. Obvously it's free for wind power. Wind power is already competitive on price with gas but will have to be developed more to compete with coal.

Passive solar is fine but it takes people who will adjust to using it rather than the normal mentality of flipping a switch for instant power/heat/cool.

Passive solar just means your house is way cheaper to heat. My parents heat their house for about 150 bucks per year, with electricity, here in cold ole Iowa. That's about 1/10 to 1/20 as much as a standard house.

55 posted on 12/05/2003 10:07:46 AM PST by biblewonk (I must answer all bible questions.)
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