Spokane For Pickens Plan

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Comment by Robert Schultz on April 20, 2009 at 4:35pm

There are many discussion groups on the Pickens Plan website covering a wide range of topics related to Alternative Energy and the Environment. I am the District Leader for the Spokane area (WA-05 group). We could use some active discussions and new ideas in our group. I am trying to promote Alternative Energy and job training programs to the Spokane County Commissioners and City of Spokane, to make sure that we have trained workers for the "Green Economy". We need programs covering everything from building windmills, to improving energy efficiency of public buildings, or converting diesels to run on liquid natural gas.

Come join us at: http://push.pickensplan.com/group/districtgroupwa05

Sincerely,

Robert Schultz
District Leader, WA-05
Pickens Plan New Energy Army

Comment by dan on December 20, 2008 at 9:37am

Hi All. I have been obsessed with the impact of energy on the future for a long time, as you all probably know. I am actually writing, or attempting to write, a book that deals with the topic in the form of sci-fi. That is why I have been nonexistent of late. I am close to 200 good solid pages and have hardly touched the topic. Fiction is not an easy venture, it has a mind of its own and keeps taking detours. (I really hope I am not wasting time I should be spending in the actual fight) I apologize for the absence. I have taken a break this morning to try and catch up a little. I have started a discussion on the a paper a guy published at jt's alternative energy news group. I encourage you all to check it out.

http://push.pickensplan.com/group/alternativeenergynews/forum/topic/show?id=2187034%3ATopic%3A1637299

I hope to be able to reintegrate into the community soon on a more serious level, but between writing and work, busy with changes. We are trying to stay alive if you can imagine that. I have been mentally drained at the end of my days.
I miss you all immensely. Keep up the good fight.
dan

Comment by Richard Wickberg on December 16, 2008 at 10:33pm

If anyone checks, there is a new group, WA-05 for people in the fifth congressional district. If you live in another congressional district please use your states federal abreviation , a hyphen, and then your congressional district.
Hence Spokane falls in the 5th congressional dist. of WA. St.

Comment by Richard Wickberg on November 28, 2008 at 5:43pm

Hi Group!
I've been asked and accepted the position of area organizer for The Pickens Group Army for Eastern Washington. I'll be perfectly blunt with you. Five years ago I couldn't have done this or any other job that required meeting people. The reason is I'm a 100% disabled vet with PTSD and rapt with depressive bi-polar disorder. Most of my cure has come from from my work in the Pickens Plan (A Big Thank-You To Carol!) and my handing out of our Pickens Plan cards and You wonderful {eo[le who came to the Meetings! So when I got the email message, I felt "I could fake it tilll I made it" which I've done many times before.

Look guys, If This old Army dog can dig his way out of a self made fox hole and get involved, I challenge all of you to do the same. Get Involved. I've given you some tools to take object to, and will continue to lead the Spokane Group as well as the Eastern Wa. Group. But, other voices will help my job immencly. Please, speak your minds. If you get flamed, we'll get it removed. I'd like to get a group going again,email me if interested - Please!? A group can accomplish far more than an individual, Really!

Comment by Richard Wickberg on November 28, 2008 at 4:48pm

These are the Wa St. Laws which I've been speaking about which keep the average citizens from producing money with a home energy wind or solar unit. I have just written the State Attorney General and this weekend will complete letters to my state senators and legislators: Sorry about the length.

RCW 80.60.020
Available on first-come, first-served basis — Interconnected metering systems allowed — Charges to customer-generator.

(1) An electric utility:

(a) Shall offer to make net metering available to eligible customers-generators on a first-come, first-served basis until the cumulative generating capacity of net metering systems equals 0.25 percent of the utility's peak demand during 1996. On January 1, 2014, the cumulative generating capacity available to net metering systems will equal 0.5 percent of the utility's peak demand during 1996. Not less than one-half of the utility's 1996 peak demand available for net metering systems shall be reserved for the cumulative generating capacity attributable to net metering systems that generate renewable energy;

(b) Shall allow net metering systems to be interconnected using a standard kilowatt-hour meter capable of registering the flow of electricity in two directions, unless the commission, in the case of an electrical company, or the appropriate governing body, in the case of other electric utilities, determines, after appropriate notice and opportunity for comment:

(i) That the use of additional metering equipment to monitor the flow of electricity in each direction is necessary and appropriate for the interconnection of net metering systems, after taking into account the benefits and costs of purchasing and installing additional metering equipment; and

(ii) How the cost of purchasing and installing an additional meter is to be allocated between the customer-generator and the utility;

(c) Shall charge the customer-generator a minimum monthly fee that is the same as other customers of the electric utility in the same rate class, but shall not charge the customer-generator any additional standby, capacity, interconnection, or other fee or charge unless the commission, in the case of an electrical company, or the appropriate governing body, in the case of other electric utilities, determines, after appropriate notice and opportunity for comment that:

(i) The electric utility will incur direct costs associated with interconnecting or administering net metering systems that exceed any offsetting benefits associated with these systems; and

(ii) Public policy is best served by imposing these costs on the customer-generator rather than allocating these costs among the utility's entire customer base.

(2) If a production meter and software is required by the electric utility to provide meter aggregation under RCW 80.60.030(4), the customer-generator is responsible for the purchase of the production meter and software.


[2007 c 323 § 2; 2006 c 201 § 2; 2000 c 158 § 2; 1998 c 318 § 3.]

RCW 80.60.030
Net energy measurement — Required calculation — Unused credit — Meter aggregation.

Consistent with the other provisions of this chapter, the net energy measurement must be calculated in the following manner:

(1) The electric utility shall measure the net electricity produced or consumed during the billing period, in accordance with normal metering practices.

(2) If the electricity supplied by the electric utility exceeds the electricity generated by the customer-generator and fed back to the electric utility during the billing period, the customer-generator shall be billed for the net electricity supplied by the electric utility, in accordance with normal metering practices.

(3) If electricity generated by the customer-generator exceeds the electricity supplied by the electric utility, the customer-generator:

(a) Shall be billed for the appropriate customer charges for that billing period, in accordance with RCW 80.60.020; and

(b) Shall be credited for the excess kilowatt-hours generated during the billing period, with this kilowatt-hour credit appearing on the bill for the following billing period.

(4) If a customer-generator requests, an electric utility shall provide meter aggregation.

(a) For customer-generators participating in meter aggregation, kilowatt-hours credits earned by a net metering system during the billing period first shall be used to offset electricity supplied by the electric utility.

(b) Not more than a total of one hundred kilowatts shall be aggregated among all customer-generators participating in a generating facility under this subsection.

(c) Excess kilowatt-hours credits earned by the net metering system, during the same billing period, shall be credited equally by the electric utility to remaining meters located on all premises of a customer-generator at the designated rate of each meter.

(d) Meters so aggregated shall not change rate classes due to meter aggregation under this section.

(5) On April 30th of each calendar year, any remaining unused kilowatt-hour credit accumulated during the previous year shall be granted to the electric utility, without any compensation to the customer-generator.


[2007 c 323 § 3; 2006 c 201 § 3; 1998 c 318 § 4.]

Comment by Richard Wickberg on November 19, 2008 at 4:14pm

Are there any Brother or Sister veterans in this group? if so please join me on my page by clicking my photo and joining in a conversation. Perhaps we can get some sort of ball rolling here in Spokane and begin to have a Pickens Group started as we all have something in common! I was a Radio mechanic in an armor unit in Korea and a commo chief in an Air Cav troop at Ft. Lewis, WA.

I'm not trying to take away from this group but rather add menbers who have who have military solidaritarity!. Our solidaritity can only strengthen this group with our esprit de corps loyalitys to which whe've sworn to uphold.

If you have any trepididations, I Will help you seek help from the VA. I will not be a money machine.

Comment by Micah Lauer on November 17, 2008 at 3:33pm

T. Boone for Time Magazine's Person of the Year 2008! Click on the link and rate Boone a '10' to give him your support: http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1857576_1857573_1857557,00.html

Comment by Richard Wickberg on November 15, 2008 at 3:55pm

ORGANIZING FOR CHANGE IN STATE AND FEDERAL LAWS

Now that the elections are over and a new administration is soon to take office, it is time to look at certain laws, which impede free trade, for example in Washington St. one can produce electricity BUT if you make more than $1000.00per year, any amount over that is gifted to the power company! This law excludes any person or group who wishes to build a private wind solar or geo-thermal farm.

I think we should start at the state level. House senate and governors, emailing them, ad nausium, until they succumb and listen and comply with we, they're constituents. Write letters to newspapers, regional papers, college and high school papers, and most important, organize in your local Pickens Plan Group and send a group letter signed by all members. The Power of the pen by a group cannot be ignored.

I cannot emphasize enough how important it is to ORGANIZE!

Comment by Micah Lauer on November 3, 2008 at 3:20pm

Did you deliver a copy of the petition to Obama or McCain's office? Can you deliver a copy on election day? If so, please let me know! We're hoping to get petitions to all candidate's offices (or political party offices) in all 50 states by the end of election day. It's real easy and a great way to get involved.

If you have already delivered a copy of the petition or if you can tomorrow, please drop me a message and let me know.

Thanks,
Micah Lauer
Regional Leader

Comment by Richard Wickberg on November 3, 2008 at 9:42am

Hey Group!
Sorry for my absense, I had to see my aunt for the last time in Fargo ND, before she dies.

I'd like to welcome all the new members to the Spokane Pickens Plan Group to the group! Please feel free to post any message here and if you're leeking for a Pickens pal, feel free to ask me.

Also, I'm looking for enough people to hold a Pickens Meeting at my home at a date as yet to be determined. I'm standing in as temporary chair of this group and wish to keep it moving and growing until she returns from surgery and recovery. Please email me your responses.

Thank You and Sincerely,
Richard Wickberg

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