Rural electric provider in Utah warns of ‘impending U.S. energy crisis’

Deseret News ^ | June 28, 2023 | By Amy Joi O’Donoghue

[Oldeconomybuyer]

A small, rural electric cooperative in eastern Utah approved a declaration of what it says is an “impending U.S. energy crisis,” fueled by the accelerated retirement of coal-fired power plants without ensuring an alternative base load energy supply can take their place.

In the action approved by board members of the Moon Lake Electric Association earlier this month, the nonprofit cooperative serving 24,121 connections that include the Ute Indian Tribe said current federal energy policies are untenable.

“There is a growing trend of decommissioning many of the existing dispatchable power generation resources across the country without viable replacements. Demand for energy continues to increase while the supply of reliable and affordable electricity follows a downward trajectory leaving the nation’s populace with an electricity deficiency,” the cooperative said in a letter.

“As the electricity deficiency progresses, it will result in higher cost of electricity to the ‘Average Joe’ domestically. In other words, those with greater financial means will be able to afford electricity while the less fortunate will have to go without — this crisis cannot be tolerated,” it said.

Yankton Johnson, chief executive officer and general manager of the Moon Lake Electric Association, said there were blackouts in nine states last December due to lack of capacity amid a grid experiencing vulnerabilities.

[Bonemaker]

All by design from that testa di merda in the White House.

[NorthWoody]

I already have a portable generator that’s big enough to run mostly the whole house if we don’t overdo it, but that’s of course useless if gas isn’t available.

I looked long and hard at those Jackery units a while back, but it’s still not in the budget.

Seems like a fella would need two of the ones I was considering (1200 watt?) to keep fridge, freezer, furnace, etc powered 24/7. I figured I’d need to have one charging with the other in use, timing the charging cycles to daylight of course.

And there’s not much daylight in the winter, so it could get interesting if their use ever became necessary.

[JackFromTexas]

“Then, you hope it doesn’t rain or snow.”
Or HAIL!!!

[BobL]

Yep, on the Jackeries, I wouldn’t be certain of the capabilities to start up refrigerators, which is why I only mentioned cell phones and laptops (and related small loads).

Overall, looks like you’re doing good, at least to me.

[Georgia Girl 2]

We bought a dual fuel generator months ago that will run our entire 38 ft RV including heat and AC.

[oldtech]

I’d say it is the opinion of a great many folks. Study the details of this situation & you can hardly miss the point that the “renewables” are & will be in the future..completely inadequate. Anyone can access the facts that contribute to this knowledge & if they were an exceptionally good high school student, could probably already have that knowledge. Joe Biden is apparently stuck on stupid when it comes to providing adequate power distribution. Not too surprising considering some of the other situations we are finding ourselves in & will be in the near future.