The price paid for manufacturing inexpensive solar voltaics in China is a horror story for the environment. I won't be around to see mutations and cancer damage but I certainly feel that the quest to free us from petroleum has its own price and it is very very steep.
California recently saw what it considered to be almost hysterically hot weather and not not for merely a day or so. Nuclear plants have been shuttered there are no new hydro plants, no new strings of inter-tie transmission lines.
And not the slightest peep of an emergency: No brownouts, no importation of energy, no rolling blackouts, nor cutbacks of energy to industry.
I will NEVER forget one drought where so many people saved so much water, that one large utility sent its customers (this isn't a joke) a special letter...
"Due to the unprecedented reduction of water consumption, XXX Utility is facing a financial crisis and therefore measures to be taken to avoid financial catastrophe must include a (substantial double digit) increase in water rates including a doubling of basic water service to homes and businesses"
The fools ran a TWELVE INCH water pipe across the Richmond San Rafael Bridge (still seen today on the south side against the railing) whose cost would take 60+ years to amortize at time of construction. Marin (Moron) County, the pipe's destination, has the San Francisco Bay Areas most "premier" suburbia with wealthy estates that include "cost is no object" landscaping. The taxpayer funded water pipe was calculated to be almost sufficient to keep shrubbery green and olympic size pools filled for fewer than 300 homes.
Never underestimate the potential of government stupidity. If there EVER arises this sort of terminated pregnancy in your area, DEMAND public disclosure of whether or not your state and local governments have the GALL to be taxing these institutions. Then go after records of utility executive's wages, perks, golden parachutes, and expense accounts.
Down here in bureaucracy heaven, the federal thieves tax petroleum sold to a government owned utility that in turn added yet ANOTHER sixteen percent tax on power delivered. The consumer gets the shaft. When complaints mount the government threatens to sell CFE to the highest bidder. Look at California electrical deregulation history and see where THAT takes you...
