OK, but they also need to winterize their systems too. Like has been recommended after the last time this happened, and the time before that. 50% of ERCOT power comes from natural gas.
Bullock said while much of the natural gas available has gone towards Texans' homes, the state's power plants need this fuel as well but aren't getting what they need.
Natural gas providers haven't been able to manufacture, ship or transport their product either, according to Abbott. He said people from these companies are telling his team, "It's just frozen right now. It's frozen in the pipeline. It's frozen at the rig. It's frozen at the transmission line."
That's an inaccurate reading of the order. See my comments here.
https://greatawakening.win/p/12hRZkTxh3/images-texans-froze-to-death-bec/c/4Dx5akKWolD
Lmao, I would have lived up to my username to save 17 thousand.
Definitely. The national outcry will make a difference. I hope they refund the vet his money. The power NEVER should have even sent these bills out in the first place.
Definitely seems like not relying on the grid is the way to go.
Highly doubt this is a fake story since every news outlet is covering it and Abbott held an emergency meeting
Apparently the poor guy emptied out his savings to pay it.
I sincerely thank you for your comment. I hesitated to post, but my desire to clarify was more important. As a country, we have a bad habit of not holding people accountable if they have our preferred letter next to their name.
Additionally, the argument against winterizing is that they provide "cheap" power. But the people who's lights DID stay on have outrageous bills, one vet has 16k bill. So tell me, was it really worth it?
Don't forget natural gas froze too. According to ERCOT, 50% of their power comes from that. This has happened before and they were advised to winterize, and they chose not, presumably for $$$.
Bullock said while much of the natural gas available has gone towards Texans' homes, the state's power plants need this fuel as well but aren't getting what they need.
Natural gas providers haven't been able to manufacture, ship or transport their product either, according to Abbott. He said people from these companies are telling his team, "It's just frozen right now.It's frozen in the pipeline. It's frozen at the rig. It's frozen at the transmission line."
Wasn't ERCOT created in like the 1930s, so that TX could avoid federal regulations?
Let's not overlook the fact that TX didn't winterize their natural gas like was recommended. This isn't the first time this has happened.
Bullock said while much of the natural gas available has gone towards Texans' homes, the state's power plants need this fuel as well but aren't getting what they need.
Natural gas providers haven't been able to manufacture, ship or transport their product either, according to Abbott. He said people from these companies are telling his team, "It's just frozen right now. It's frozen in the pipeline. It's frozen at the rig. It's frozen at the transmission line."
Um the order says this...
FPA section 202(c)(2) requires the Secretary of Energy to ensure that any 202(c) order that may result in a conflict with a requirement of any environmental law be limited to the, “hours necessary to meet the emergency and serve the public interest, and, to the maximum extent practicable, People freezing to death constitutes an emergency, so ERCOT had the authority to operate whatever was necessary, even if did violate environmental law. Basically, ERCOT got an exception, the order just says don't be frivolous. Which turned out to be a moot point, since it couldn't keep up anyway. In the order, Huizenga said, “Given the emergency nature...I have determined that additional dispatch of the Specified Resources is necessary to best meet the emergency and serve the public interest.” https://www.khou.com/mobile/article/news/verify/verify-energy-department-texas-emergency-exceed-pollution-limits/507-50b56a9c-f84f-4db3-9c29-3c97435196fe
That's awesome! I actually live in the Appalachian mountains, so I've been fortunate to actually know some of the old timers.
Local fb groups, farmers market, farm shows, conversation at the feed or farm store. Most of us are pretty helpful and really like to talk about our animals or complain about the weather haha.
Some goats are OK. I really want some fainting goats. They definitely are not for everyone though. I'll only get them move to the Sticks. Then I'll put them in the center of the property, so they'll have to cross multiple fence lines before getting to the neighbors.
Oh, and yard sales! You can find all kinds of useful things at yard sales. Estate sales are great if you are looking for equipment.
Yep, another great place.
Ebay! Lots of used books on there cheap, $4-10 is usually what I pay. I look at reviews on Amazon or whatever and then go to ebay to buy them. Check farm and garden stores at the end of season, they'll Mark them down significantly sometimes.
Country wisdom and know how is a good one.
Look for organic gardening books, being self sufficient means not relying on pesticides most of the time. Better for you too.
Chickens are super easy, basically you just feed them and protect them from predators. They should have a coup, but mine sleep pretty much everywhere but the coup.
Look into mini cows, they produce more meat/milk per pound of feed than the full size versions.
Find other farmers in your area. One, they'll have a lot of good advice for growing in your specific part of the country. Two, you can barter. Trying to keep up a garden, chase down run away chickens, put out hay for cows, keep up fencing, it's a ton of work. Easier to have lots of cows or chickens and a garden, then trade/sell.
Consider growing or raising some specialty things. Mini cows are really popular, or certain breeds of chickens. Lemon cucumbers, or black tomatoes. People will pay a premium for that kind of stuff.
Finally, learn about tractors. They are essential. Plowing a garden plot, putting out hay, bush hogging, getting a truck out of the mud, pulling down a dead tree, it's endless really. Find an older model and learn how to care for it yourself. They'll last forever if you know what your doing.
There are endless books. My go to is eBay, used books can be had for $4-10. Ink is Hella expensive, so this can be more cost effective.
I second the binders and notebooks. Especially for growing stuff, since a lot of things are very regional.
Another option is to download the books or info and save it to an SD card. Put the SD card into a phone or tablet. I have several power banks and then solar charges for them.
My other recommendation is to find like minded people. Trying to do everything is a LOT of work. Trade eggs and veggies for wool or steaks that kinda thing.
That's why you have reserves. Canned food (either purchased or from pervious years) dry goods, that kind of thing.
As for the animals, well chickens are pretty damn easy. They self replicate too haha. Chicken feed and shelter (not that mine ever use the coop I spent a ton of money and time on) and then predator protection. That's probably your biggest concern. Hawks, coyotes, foxes, raccoons, stray dogs all are a problem. IMO the most effective defense is an excellent flock guardian. I have large fenced area that the chickens stay in (mostly) and the dog stays out there. Anatolians are the best, but they aren't for novice dog owners. A great Pyrenees is also a good choice, but they require lots more grooming. You can also look into a mix. There's a few other breeds also but they aren't as common.
Goats are hardy but Hella hard to keep fenced. Like extremely hard. Don't get them unless your neighbors are cool with waking up to a goat occasionally.
If you want a cow, look into the mini versions. They produce more meat/milk per pound of feed than the full size version. Bonus, lots of people like them as pets so you can sell offspring for a good price.
I have no experience with sheep, other than that they are assholes and a pain in an ass to handle lol. If you want wool type stuff, I would recommend an alpac. Never had one, but they are on my list when I by a bigger farm.
They are alleging the Ku Klux Klan Act Was violated. I didn't know there was such a thing.
- Under the Ku Klux Klan Act, 42 U.S.C. § 1985(1), Defendants may not “conspire to prevent, by force, intimidation, or threat, any person … holding any office, trust, or place of confidence under the United States … from discharging any duties thereof; or to induce by like means any officer of the United States to leave any … place[] where his duties as an officer are required to be performed, or … to molest, interrupt, hinder, or impede him in the discharge of his official duties.”
link to lawsuit If you go down to the "events" and look at the one that says "complaint," there is a tiny little PDF button. If you click that, you can see the whole complaint. .