it’s cold up there. Too cold to be energy self-sufficient, IMHO.
I would disagree, there a lots of trees, in Idaho, and more coal than the entire country can use, in Wyoming.
>> I would disagree, there a lots of trees, in Idaho, and more coal than the entire country can use, in Wyoming.
Trees, yes, but they’re not renewable in the short term. So unless you have tens to hundreds of acres of woodlot available to you, you must pay for your wood after you’ve denuded your own small place.
And coal — there’s a lot up there, but you have to *buy* it from someone, yes? Or are you saying everyone’s property has coal seams on it and they just go dig it up for free?
I’m talking about self-sufficiency as in, if I have no money I can still survive and be comfortable. That’s solar, wind, and maybe biodiesel or biogas.