AltEnToday

Already burdened by high oil prices? Surprise surprise, other energy costs are poised to rise as well. I’ve already reported on the surging costs of heating oil expected this winter, and now reports are coming out that regulated utilities throughout the country are seeking to increase prices - by as much as 29%. While most homeowners won’t suffer drastically from the projected increase of $20 per month on their home electricity bill, it does highlight the continuing trend in energy and electricity that we’re seeing.

In related news, the surging coal prices - already influenced by the increased global demand - may continue to climb in light of the record-high Midwestern flooding. Not only are floods forcing closures of the rivers where coal is barged down stream, but rail companies are reporting closures of tracks as well.

Natural disasters, such as the record Midwest floods, quakes in China and Japan, and the upcoming hurricane season, continue to highlight the potential benefits of increasing distribution of our grid production and processing capabilities. The internet provides an appealing comparison to our energy grid - yes there are crucial infrastructure joints, but overall the system will continue to work well even with major breaks in certain areas. Solar and wind, for instance, may provide communities with the ability to produce a significant portion of their energy close-to-home, so they aren’t dependent upon disaster-prone fuel sources for 100% of their energy needs.