Michael J. Williams's Page
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- Are you interested in becoming an organizer in your area?
- Yes
- Tell us about your experience with alternative energy:
- I am a retired US Navy Nuclear Engineer. I believe that oil is the biggest security threat in the world. Wind, Solar and Nuclear are the best ways to address this threat in the next 10-20 years. But, I also feel we need to establish even longer term R&D efforts for the next 50 to 100 years. We're locked into a short term philosophy that needs to be broken
- What excites you about this campaign?
- This campaign is a beginning. If we move in the right direction we may have a chance to break the rigidity in the political views of the American people. You have fired the first shots., We need to keep pushing these ideas
- What do you want to do to help?
- I want to organize local and Washington state support for the program. I also think we could try to push the Western governors to meet and propose an interstate compact to address this issue as well. Do you have a local group in Spokane county yet?
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Great enjoying coffee this morning! here are the two power generation laws. My letter to the Atty Gen has dissolved into thin air. Please forgive my paperwork foul-ups.
RichardI
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.]
I received an email from a Naval Acadamy trained nuclear eneineer with an idea. Being as I am a lowly electronics tech. I'm doing the honerable thing and introducing the two of you, Michael, please go to my page and meet William E. Higgens. He should be tops on my comment page.
Richard
From TimeForChange.org
http://timeforchange.org/pros-and-cons-of-nuclear-power-and-sustainability
Advantages of nuclear power generation:
* Nuclear power generation does emit relatively low amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2). The emissions of green house gases and therefore the contribution of nuclear power plants to global warming is therefore relatively little.
* This technology is readily available, it does not have to be developed first.
* It is possible to generate a high amount of electrical energy in one single plant.
Disadvantages of nuclear power generation:
* The problem of radioactive waste is still an unsolved one. The waste from nuclear energy is extremely dangerous and it has to be carefully looked after for several thousand years (10'000 years according to United States Environmental Protection Agency standards).
* High risks: Despite a generally high security standard, accidents can still happen. It is technically impossible to build a plant with 100% security. A small probability of failure will always last. The consequences of an accident would be absolutely devastating both for human being as for the nature (see here , here or here ). The more nuclear power plants (and nuclear waste storage shelters) are built, the higher is the probability of a disastrous failure somewhere in the world.
* Nuclear power plants as well as nuclear waste could be preferred targets for terrorist attacks. No atomic energy plant in the world could withstand an attack similar to 9/11 in Yew York. Such a terrorist act would have catastrophic effects for the whole world.
* During the operation of nuclear power plants, radioactive waste is produced, which in turn can be used for the production of nuclear weapons. In addition, the same know-how used to design nuclear power plants can to a certain extent be used to build nuclear weapons (nuclear proliferation).
* The energy source for nuclear energy is Uranium. Uranium is a scarce resource, its supply is estimated to last only for the next 30 to 60 years depending on the actual demand.
* The time frame needed for formalities, planning and building of a new nuclear power generation plant is in the range of 20 to 30 years in the western democracies. In other words: It is an illusion to build new nuclear power plants in a short time.
Do you know what progress has been made in handling nuclear waste? I know that nuclear power can generate a lot of electricity, but I am concerned about the waste products. I would rather push for more efforts using wind, solar, geothermal, tidal, and hydro-electric power systems.
I have spoken to Rep. McMorris-Rodgers aid on energy regarding this subject and her office is in total agreement with our stand. I've already written a letter of thanks to her for her position. We need to turn our attention to the Governor, Attorney General and state reps
Personally, I don't think it is -- nor should it be -- up to the individual voters to take it up at a door-to-door level. Of course, they have to be supportive of the efforts, but if our elected leaders would LEAD, it would be done. When the Interstate system came up, people followed the lead. Obama is poised with a very similar possibility. The government cannot do it directly, as that would mean it competing with private industry. But it/they/we can make incentives, provide funding, etc. for it to happen, with the caveat that We The People get a return on our investment (besides gaining Green power sources.)
It's not about the everyman, now. Now it is about getting the leaders serious about changing things. It was hard to fight oil because it's big bucks, but I think we can to it with wind energy, since the electric companies don't wield the same political clout.
I don't believe in waiting around; retired army sergeants don't have a shy bone in our body. Welcome to the Washington 5th District Pickens Group. There is a Spokane for Pickens Plan Group which I'm acting chair of but it seems I'm also the only active member which guiles me to no end as we used to be a close functioning group last summer. When the original leader had to drop out for surgery she appointed me as leader (which may have led to the acrimony) and the group went dead. I wish now there would have been a vote of temporary succession.
Please read the Spokane first page and my page II'm an awful typist) and you'll get the gist of the problems we in Washington St. face. Now as you have no Pickens Friends I'll ask to be your first.
Thanks for your interest in helping out in your Congressional district. Richard Wickberg is a leader for your district, so please get in touch with him and he can get you started! http://push.pickensplan.com/profile/RichardWickberg
Cheers,
Micah
EMAIL A LETTER TO YOUR REPRESENTATIVES BY USING OUR EASY RED "CONTACT CONGRESS" BUTTON - - With little effort, we have the ability here for you to send a letter to President Obama, our Representatives in Washington and your Governor, too.
Click here to help organize the New Energy Army in your Congressional District! Sign up to be a District Leader today.
Go to the MY ENERGY page. Register and make your voice count.
Go to THE PLEDGE Lend your voice to the call for American energy independence Fill in the short, standard form. Done!
Download the Pledge/Petition : get them signed, fax them in to the 888# at the bottom of the pledge, asap.
This is how we build our numbers fast! Be a leader, be a part of the "100 CLUB", by faxing in 100 signed pledge. Let Kim Anderson know when you are done and she will see that you are added to the list.
YOU CAN ALSO HELP BY BRINGING 5 FOLKS TO JOIN the site today, so that we can build a voice big enough that Congress will finally have to listen to us, instead of the lobbyists and special interests, who are trying to derail this historic effort.
If you answered "YES" to Interested in becoming an organizer, there are several things I can recommend. Join the following Groups:
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On the upper right corner of Your Page, click on "States" to visit the Push Pickens Community for your state.
Contact and "Friend" the New Energy Army Regional Leader for your state; you can find them to the right, in the Featured Members section. Let him/her know that I sent you there and you are interested in becoming an organizer.
PICKENS U We are recruiting "Campus Coordinators" for colleges and universities to represent the Pickens Plan on campus. We are looking for someone who can create a college page on the Pickens Plan site and also on Facebook encouraging folks to sign up for the Pickens Plan.
If you are connected to a college or university in your state, can be a campus coordinator, or can help find a campus coordinator, please let me know so we can get the process rolling.
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Join the Guides and Materials for New Members Group
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IDEAS & PROPOSALS FOR PICKENS I know that many of you have great ideas and proposals that you would like to get in front of Boone's team...
They asked us to have you submit all ideas/proposals in writing to the Pickens Plan at: PO Box 12123 Dallas TX 75225.
If there is any way I can help, please, let me know. If I don't have the answer, I will do my very best to get you the answer.
Thanks again for joining this historical effort. TOGETHER WE CAN DO THIS.
Leslie - Welcome Wagon Volunteer
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