Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Swiss Prepare to Spend the Winter Bored, Cold, and Trapped at Home
PJ Media ^ | 2 Dec 2022 | Stephen Green

Posted on 12/02/2022 10:57:10 AM PST by Rummyfan

The Swiss government announced its plan to deal with expected energy shortfalls this winter, and it sounds like a lot of fun — provided you’re a shut-in who likes reading by candlelight under multiple blankets.

The alpine country — one of the wealthiest in the world — will severely restrict electric vehicles from its roads, according to a Daily Mail report. If the country runs out of power, EVs won’t be allowed out for anything but “essential” travel.

But the restrictions don’t end there.

The contingency plan calls for three levels of energy rationing.

Under the least extreme, most buildings would be limited to 20C (68F) and “people will be asked to limit their washing machines to a maximum of 40C [104F].”

Under the mid-tier, retail stores could find their hours reduced by two each shopping day, many buildings would have their heat limited to 19C (66F), and nightclubs wouldn’t be allowed any heat at all — although given the other restrictions, that point might be moot.

Sports stadiums? Closed. Movie theaters, too.

But the Swiss might not find much relief at home, either. Should the worst come to pass, gaming consoles and streaming services like Netflix will go on the verboten list.

The Swiss generate nearly two-thirds of their energy from hydroelectric sources that produce very little electricity during the winter months when the water is locked up as snow and ice.

Most of the remaining third of their power is produced by nuclear.

Maybe, given that their country is in the friggin’ Alps, they should have switched that ratio around, but no. Instead, the government has decided to eliminate nuclear power altogether.

It didn’t have to be this way.

(Excerpt) Read more at pjmedia.com ...


TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: babyitscoldinside; dumberthandirt; energyschadenfreude; haha; itistolaugh; stephengreen; stupidshouldhurt; swiss; switzerland; takethatputin; thatsashame
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-34 last
To: Rummyfan

Yes, it is.

The Swiss never kept their homes and apartments as warm as we do, at least back when I lived there (and subsequent visits). Every morning the bedroom windows are opened and the thick feather duvets hung across the windowsills to air for awhile and allow fresh air in, no matter how cold or snowy. Schools, offices, shopping venues, etc., were also cooler in winter than here. Restaurants tended to be warm, though.

The Swiss are stoic. And cunning. They’ll do fine.


21 posted on 12/02/2022 11:53:02 AM PST by CatHerd (Whoever said "All's fair in love and war" probably never participated in either.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: GreatRoad

Transmission lines to the lifts will be de-energized.


22 posted on 12/02/2022 11:57:13 AM PST by steve86 (Prophecies of Maelmhaedhoc O'Morgair (Latin form: Malachy))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: Rummyfan

So, basically, they’ll be pretty much like their ancestors. The reason Switzerland became the center of the watch-making world is that some smart fellow got the idea of having bored swiss stuck in their cabins make clock parts. A given family might make a particular gear, and would do not much more than that all winter long.


23 posted on 12/02/2022 12:01:48 PM PST by zeugma (Stop deluding yourself that America is still a free country.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: crz

“OH GEEE! Whatever did we do before electricity?”

We didn’t have the population we have now. Nuclear works very well.


24 posted on 12/02/2022 12:07:27 PM PST by dljordan
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 19 | View Replies]

To: adorno

With smart meters, there is.


25 posted on 12/02/2022 12:08:32 PM PST by curious7
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: CatHerd

“The Swiss never kept their homes and apartments as warm as we do”

We keep our house at 68 in the daytime and 62 at night. Our neighbors run around in t-shirts and barefoot. My Grandmother heated with coal. No heat at night.


26 posted on 12/02/2022 12:09:44 PM PST by dljordan
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 21 | View Replies]

To: curious7

Yup yup


27 posted on 12/02/2022 12:15:01 PM PST by cableguymn
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 25 | View Replies]

To: Rummyfan

“”Truly. Drive through Switzerland or Austria. All the tunneling and bridging it’s impressive.””

With artillery hidden in the mountains overseeing the roads and with bridges having been designed for explosives placement.


28 posted on 12/02/2022 3:20:08 PM PST by ansel12 (NATO warrior under Reagan, and RA under Nixon, bemoaning the pro-Russians from Vietnam to Ukraine.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: dljordan

Ya..I always hear that excuse.


29 posted on 12/02/2022 3:33:33 PM PST by crz
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 24 | View Replies]

To: 2banana

Cold, bored and trapped at home sounds like a lot of drinking.

Like an upstate winter.


30 posted on 12/02/2022 5:50:40 PM PST by AlbertWang
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: steve86; GreatRoad

The skiing down is still exciting.

The 2 hour hike up the hill, not so much. Even with telemark skis it would be a long haul up the hill for each run.

The rich will still be able to heli-ski probably.


31 posted on 12/02/2022 5:54:57 PM PST by 21twelve (Ever Vigilant. Never Fearful.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 22 | View Replies]

To: Rummyfan
Instead, the government has decided to eliminate nuclear power altogether.

I know we're all tempted to think of them as idiots.

But they're not stupid. They're evil. They know perfectly damned well that their plans and policies are destructive and they do it anyway.

32 posted on 12/02/2022 6:09:40 PM PST by NorthMountain (... the right of the peopIe to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Rummyfan

My old farmhouse never gets to 68 in the winter. Usually high 50’s or low 60’s, even with the wood stove. Don’t know what they are complaining about...


33 posted on 12/02/2022 6:31:04 PM PST by Aut Pax Aut Bellum (What did Socialists use before candles? Electricity)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: AlbertWang

Been there. 35 years ago in Oneonta, NY.


34 posted on 12/02/2022 11:55:19 PM PST by jmacusa (Liberals. Too stupid to be idiots. )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 30 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-34 last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson