|
Posted on October 31, 2008 @ 09:44:00 AM by Paul Meagher
Lately, I've become more convinced that the solution to many of our problems lies in the devolution of power to the local level. Connecting a green energy source to the power grid can be a very expensive undertaking which often requires the approval of multiple levels of government, not to mention the behind-the-scenes maneuvering of the energy industry to retain their fossil-fuel monopolies.
The paradigm shift I think we will need if we want to modernize our power systems is to design our energy futures in such a way that 100% of the power is generated and consumed locally with a large chunk of the financing for local power generation initially coming from municipal taxes. These municipal taxes would be reduced as revenues from local power consumption flows into the municipal level of government. There is no reason why the municipal power system can't be financially self-sustaining as green power technology improves and costs go down. Going local with our power systems would also be a stimulus to consumers to monitor their power consumption so that your community as a whole can try to eventually achive 100% sustainable power.
A sustainable local power system would be a great legacy to leave our kids rather than the truely spooky future (war, disease, famine) that Jared Diamond predicts we will be facing within 20 years if we proceed on our present course.
|
