On the blackout and the nature of the grid

[nadinbrzezinski]

A single error dumped oh eight million people into the darkness. To me this raises the issue of DISTRIBUTIVE energy generation. In fact, we might have to consider expanding this in a serious manner. I expect the industry to fight it, but in reality I should expect both to be part of the normal mix.

Things like this...nobody got killed, people mostly helped each other...also expose the thin veneer of technologically based civilization.

Oh and things are not fully back to normal. I was lucky to get cold cuts and cheese...but milk, cheese, even meat is not on shelves yet. Will get food out.

[Juneboarder]

1. Was it 8 million?

Our news reports down here (in San Diego) said 1.4 million... it was kinda fun down here. My family camped out in our half a million dollar "tent"! :)

[nadinbrzezinski]

2. 3 mil in TJ, another half in mexicalli

Another Half to a mill between rosarito and Ensenada, 30k for Tecate and another mil in orange...plus three in San Diego.

I know the nooz really got lazy on the math. And most people do not realize the density south of our border.

Oh and they said 1.4 million customers...we are counted as a customer, but it is two of us in the household.

[Juneboarder]

4. Gotcha... maybe they should have referred to homes

rather than customers lol... I'm with ya on the snooz that gets "reported" to us. Just glad power is back on and I can keep my beer cold ;)

[nadinbrzezinski]

6. They should just have added census data...

It is available, for both countries...perhaps deduct 200,000 that live truly on the edge and off grid in the ciudades Perdidas.

[TheWraith]

3. You know, in other parts of the country, you could buy five houses for that price.

Nice ones, bordering on 3,000 square feet with wood paneling, hardwood floors, and 4 bedrooms.

Just saying. :)

[Juneboarder]

5. Yes, but it wouldn't be in SoCal...

The weather and location is just too perfect. I mean, where else could you snowboard or ski the morning hours, drive home in 2 hours and hit the surf for sunset?

And what does the cost of anything truly mean when a dollar is simply an IOU note that someone created.

[MrDiaz]

7. what happens

when everyone has electric cars and there are blackouts everywhere? I just thought of this, just curious to what you think?

[nadinbrzezinski]

8. Why we really need distributive networks.

Regardless our gas stations were out...they're electrical...so if you were on fumes...

[MrDiaz]

9. yeah I can understand that

But for instance here in texas we have been asked to cut back on energy consumption when the temps. were over 100 degrees for a long stretch of days, because of the threat of blackouts due to lack of energy. So what happens when 50 percent of people cars are electric, how would you be able to charge them, or even worse during a hurricane or something. When Ike happened we were without power for i believe 2 weeks. Gas was difficult to come by but it was there. All I am saying is that we need to begin to work on a new Power Grid in this country. Hell that would even create some jobs lol.

[dipsydoodle]

10. Was it worse than

New York City blackout of 1977 ? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_City_blackout_of_1977

Or earlier still the Northeast Blackout of 1965 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northeast_Blackout_of_1965