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POWER TALK
LETTERS
Hooray for ‘Realistic Assessment’
I was happy to read your article “Energy Reality Check: Green Power”
in the November issue of Texas Co-op Power. It was the first time that I have
read a realistic assessment of the contributions that green power can make to
our energy problems in a publication that is devoted to energy.
Most of what one reads about alternative energy resources in the newspapers
and nature publications is of the feel-good variety, lacking real technical
understanding and often expounding unrealistic and unachievable goals for future
developments.
Take for instance wind energy. Your article lists the basic shortcomings of
this development, the points you mention: variable wind or lack of wind; the
fact that wind power capacity has to be backed up by conventional generating
capacity (which in effect makes wind power installation wasteful); challenges
for grid stability and grid management. The fact that these points are rarely
mentioned is disingenuous, if not outright dishonest, because society has to
pay these costs, which only profit the developers.
The minuscule contributions of wind energy become very obvious when one does
some calculations based on real numbers.
Frits de Wette, Austin
Conventional Power Needed Now
We need major research and development efforts for our long-term energy needs,
but we need to build additional conventional generating capacity now to avoid
electric shortages that will damage our economy and limit our freedom to make
the right choices.
William E. Sparks Jr., Coldspring
Sam Houston Electric Cooperative
Tired of Excuses
As I tried to implement a solar panel system for my house, I have learned that
all the power generators in Texas, except for Austin Energy, do not really want
to deal with small producers.
Texas power companies have no incentives to promote renewable energy. They
give the excuse it will penalize those who do not install renewable power. They
say renewable is not reliable. They say it costs too much. They say it is dangerous.
Excuse, excuse, excuse.
Big power producers and distributors, when will you start to think beyond the
status quo? Make an effort to extend our resources while promoting and creating
new ones.
Mark J. Rasmussen, Forney
Farmers Electric Cooperative
Windmills Aren’t Eyesores
In regards to the use of wind and sun power, the belief that turbines would
be an eyesore is an excuse. Remember how beautiful the lighthouses on the East
Coast are and the windmills of the Dutch! I’m sure something could be
done to enhance their appearance.
Patricia N. Terling, San Marcos
Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative
Plug-In Cars Long Way From Reality
Many things are possible, but batteries for plug-in electric cars are the weak
link now. Gasoline and diesel are very powerful and easy to store and use. Hydrogen
is possible and easy to use, but it is very hard to store in liquid form, and
the pressures are high. I am not in the fuel business, but we need to be realistic
about the possibilities. Some day there will be a breakthrough. I hope it is
soon, but if you want to be able to drive away from the house, don’t be
too hard on gasoline and diesel at this time.
Jim Bell, Quitman
Wood County Electric Cooperative
What About Net Metering?
There was no mention in your “Energy Reality Check” of net metering,
a process where the co-op actually buys electricity from, as an example, a homeowner
who installs solar or wind generation but can’t use all that he generates.
I know Grayson-Collin Electric Co-op has approved net metering. Even though
it is insignificant today, I see it as having huge potential.
In the section on solar, the article mentioned that “large amounts of
it can’t be stored.” If enough people were able to generate their
own electricity and sell it back to the co-op, wouldn’t the grid act like
a pipeline storage that could be used to offset new electric generation?
Tony Manasseri
Grayson-Collin Electric Cooperative
Editor’s note: The grid can use solar and wind power
only as it is produced. The grid cannot store electricity. Other kinds of power
plants must provide electricity for times when the wind is not blowing and the
sun is not shining. And conventional power plants can’t just be turned
off when the renewables are available and on when they are not. It takes minutes
to start a natural gas peaking plant and days to start a coal-fired plant.
HAPPENINGS
You’re invited to “whoop it up” at the 12th Annual
Celebration of Whooping Cranes and Other Birds in Port Aransas, February
22–24. Port Aransas is home to hundreds of permanent and visiting species.
This gathering celebrates the conservation of the endangered whooping crane,
which winters in the area in late February. Tom Stehn, whooping crane conservationist
for the Aransas Wildlife Refuge, says a record 261 cranes completed the migration
this year. Lectures, boat tours, bus tours, exhibits and workshops are among
the offerings, as is a free Nature Trade Show at the Port Aransas Civic Center.
For more information, visit the Port Aransas Chamber of Commerce website at
www.portaransas.org,
or call toll-free, 1-800-45-COAST (452-6278).
RENOVATION UNEARTHS BEAUTIFUL AND HISTORIC COURTHOUSE ARTWORK
In downtown Giddings, on the crest that divides the Colorado and Brazos river
basins, stands the Lee County Courthouse, a three-story brick structure built
in 1897 by architect J. Riely Gordon. The courthouse replaced an identical 1878
courthouse that was destroyed by fire. Contractors paid county convicts $1 per
day to remove the burnt bricks from the old courthouse to use in the new construction.
Gordon designed the building in the Richardsonian Romanesque fashion. To highlight
the building’s position as the focal point of the community, Gordon combined
a variety of weighty structures such as limestone arches, blue granite steps
and a brick clock tower, to give the courthouse a feeling of power and permanence.
A National Register Property, the courthouse was restored through the Texas
Historical Commission’s Courthouse Preservation Program in 2004.
— From The Courthouses of Texas, Texas A&M University
Press, second edition, 2007
CRAB CAKES IN LLANO
In a turn-of-the-century limestone building on the Llano town square, where
a succession of dry goods stores and a millinery once served the household and
fashion needs of local citizens, the Acme Café on the Square is building
a culinary reputation. Sisters-in-law Maurie and Ann Beasley opened the café
in 2005 on a whim. Attracted by the building’s original brick walls, tin
ceilings and wooden floors, they decided to give their café a distinctly
old-fashioned feel. But a glance at the menu reveals some palate-pleasing, up-to-date
offerings. The house specialty is crab cakes, made fresh daily and served with
homemade remoulade sauce. “We don’t put anything on the menu that
doesn’t meet unanimous approval of the entire staff,” says Ann.
Hours are 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Sunday brunch, including pancakes,
crepes, quiche and soup, is served from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Acme Café on the Square, downtown Llano across from the courthouse,
(325) 247-4457.
WHO KNEW?
Animal Capitals
From the Chili Capital to the Gingerbread Capital, many Texas towns boast titles
that make them stand out from the pack. During various sessions, the Legislature
has officially designated the following towns as the state capitals of some
of Texas’ unique animal populations.
Anahuac–Alligator
Hamilton–Dove
Kenedy–Horned Lizard
Longview–Purple Martin
Mauriceville–Crawfish
Midland–Ostrich
West Tawakoni–Catfish
Wills Point–Bluebird
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