Obama clears way for oil drilling off US coasts

[30ashopper]

For example, Gidget put solar panels on her new house. Per her conversation w/ CHELCO, that only brings the total to 10 residences who can make the meter run backwards in our part of the SUNSHINE STATE.

I'd like to see that number get a great deal higher before we contemplate destroying our irreplaceable beaches to gain "energy independence" from the mainly North and South American countries who supply the vast majority of our oil!

The tax incentives are there, and legislation is in place to insure people have the right to do it. Truth is going solar is expensive, 40-50K to run the meter backwards, over the long run it's a value investment, but people tend to think a little too short term.

 

[scooterbug44]

I think it is realistic to take steps to prevent either type of incident from occurring again.

Especially since it was determined that the tanker you mentioned wrecked because of a combination of fatigue and intoxication on the part of the crew and radar that was non-functioning before they left port.

 

[scooterbug44]

The tax incentives are there, and legislation is in place to insure people have the right to do it. Truth is going solar is expensive, 40-50K to run the meter backwards, over the long run it's a value investment, but people tend to think a little too short term.

No, due to tax credits etc. it is more like a tenth of that!

 

[30ashopper]

No, due to tax credits etc. it is more like a tenth of that!

Scooter I've researched this, it's not a 1/10th. There are different packages that produce differen amounts of energy - from around 9k all the way to a true self sustaining systems that run upwards of 50-60K. The state of Florida has a nice tax rebate for 15K+ systems @ $4.00 per watt, with a max rebate of 20K. To get the max rebate you would have to install a 50K+ system.

At the federal level we have tax credits, but that doesn't help much unless you pay a lot of federal taxes.

Solar Rebates and Incentives for Florida
Grid Tie Solar Kits

Solar is not cheap, but it is a good long term investment if you plan on living in the house for an extended period of time, and have the money to invest.

 

[Matt J]

For those that think a 20 mile oil spill isn't that big of a deal, keep in mind that we have 26 miles of beach. Also keep in mind that you're never going to get the crude (notice that it's crud with an e, i keep waiting for the oil industry to add an accent to make it sound more appealing) out of the sand.

I will concede that drilling could offer jobs, but those jobs will be for people who have experience in the field from out of state. Most of that income will be shifted out of state and very little will be spent here.

 

[Andy A]

Have you seen what those cajuns look like after eating all that toxic seafood their entire life? :shock:

Uh, wait,,,,,aren't you one of......nevermind....disregard....;-)

Yeah, I have and my wife is still beautiful.

 

[Arkiehawg]

Yeah, I have and my wife is still beautiful.

Well, I was going to say Coona**, but figured I would catch heck for that....

 

[Andy A]

Well, I was going to say Coona**, but figured I would catch heck for that....

Naw, my Cajun says its a perfectly acceptable term.

 

[futurebeachbum]

The tax incentives are there, and legislation is in place to insure people have the right to do it. Truth is going solar is expensive, 40-50K to run the meter backwards, over the long run it's a value investment, but people tend to think a little too short term.

One of the reasons for making this oil move now is energy dependence on foreign sources?

We've known it was a pressing problem area since we sat in the odd/even fuel lines in 1973.

Not much thinking about the long-term of energy has happened in the past 37 years.

Wall Street has led the "abandon the long term" with the government (Sarbannes-Oxley) reinforcing business's focus on the current and previous quarters.

Thinking about the long term is now (by practice anyway) unAmerican. Much like living within one's means or minding one's own business is also pass?.

 

[Geo]

I'm looking for folks to interview for a video piece on the offshore drilling issue. See this thread for more info-

http://www.sowal.com/bb/politics-current-events/46610-looking-folks-interview-video-piece-offshore-drilling-issue.html#post659454