One If By Land Bucks County

Reviewer: Larry Menkes Dated: 2010-09-01 20:58:04

The Fourth Turning, Apocalypse and third World America Reply to Rob Kall 9/1/10 Rob, I deeply appreciate your attention to the concept of Relocalization. It is a crucial topic and holds the best promise for coping with the uncertainties of peak oil, climate change, resource depletion, water, population, and the synergistic effects of simultaneous multiple crises. As the founder and Coordinator of the Pennsylvania's first Relocalization Chapter (then known as an outpost) The Earth Charter Lifeboat Academy of PA (after Caren Black's Titanic Lifeboat Academy in Astoria Oregon: http://www.titaniclifeboatacademy.org/) I think that the concepts behind Relocalization are sound and represent the best thought out top-down approach to the problem. Now that all Relocalization Chapters have been (more or less) absorbed into the Transition US organization, we now have a complimentary model for a bottom's up approach. The guidelines are well articulated in the two books, Post Carbon Cities (Daniel Lerch) and The Transition Handbook (Rob Hopkins). I recommend them to anyone serious about coping with the historic changes that are almost upon us. As Katrina, The Deepwater Horizon Disaster, Cuba's "Special Period", Pakistan's Mega Flood the Haitian Earthquake, and many other disasters demonstrate, the ability of a federal government to cope with this type of situation is limited at best. When possible, and planned, local communities can and do cope, at least for a short term crisis. With a well thought out, locally tailored plan that provides for long-term survival basics a community can do well for its inhabitants in a prolonged crisis. But, as Jim Hansen, of NASA Goddard, and others have said, we don't have much time to prepare. We have squandered our best opportunities and still we diddle around with solutions. This is understandable since our first reaction to catastrophic news is paralyzing denial. We can get over this quickly if we acknowledge that our collective survival depends on our moving quickly through and beyond acceptance to action. As Rob Hopkins and Bill Mettler (Transition Cheltenham) know, this can be a lot of fun. Don't deny yourself this unparalleled historic pleasure. Roll up your sleeves and get to work. You don't have to do this alone, and you can't. But we can do this together. This is our chance to craft a far better world, the world of our dreams and highest aspirations. The following is Rob's editorial comment: On Sep 1, 2010, at 13:45, rob@opednews.com wrote: I started reading Arianna Huffington's new book, Third World America, which expresses serious concerns about America's future, particularly the future of the middle class. It's very well written by the way. More to come. Anyway, today we have an article by Jim Quinn,The Fourth Turning - Skies Darkening,that is apocalyptic. Things are at a point where we need to start thinking about stronger measures to bring about change. The Democratic victories failed to make anywhere close to the changes we need. The other day, I referred to a locavore picnic I attended, based on relocalization ideas. Last week I interviewed the authors of the book, Abundant Community, which explores returning from consumerism to community. That's where we need to be heading. The idea of boosting production or increasing output or efficiency is mired in the old way of thinking-- about more is better. We need to end that approach and switch to the model Keith Farley describes, in his book TIME's UP, where he suggests that we need to start buying things that last, keeping them, fixing them buying used goods, with the goal of decreasing production. That idea challenges the consumer economic model. It challenges the idea that we maintain a healthy economy by maintaining production and consumption. We need to develop new economic models based on decreasing demand and increasing sustainability. That means sourcing things locally, depending less upon massive, centralized systems to provide health or food or energy. Biological entities don't survive when they get too big. Humanity cannot going on building bigger and bigger corporations and systems to purportedly take care of us. They stop working to take care of we-the-people and start working to maintain their own existences and the power of those who run them. I've written about the need for a war on big:Time To Declare War on BIG; America Needs Giant Killers. One way to do it is to eliminate the need for or interaction with big operations, companies and systems. That takes a change in lifestyle. Even if we do a 5% change, it can make a difference and be a start. OpEdNews.com is committed to being a valuable resource for discussing the issues of the day and providing the tools and information you need to adapt as our world changes

Reviewer: Ken Gallagher Dated: 2010-08-28 09:30:42

There is a large amount of gas which is removed from landfills. This can be harnesses and purified instead of just burning off into the atmosphere. So, why is this gas unavailable for heating and electrical generation? Natural wells in the earth are very harmful to the surrounding environment. Once the drinking water supply is effected, it is very expensive to purify water and ultimately rcauses increase in water and sewer bills. We have what we need right here, aboue the surface of the ground. Man made gas, in landfills, just waiting to be harnessed and used wisely

Reviewer: Larry Menkes Dated: 2010-08-15 23:51:03

The Sunday edition of the Intelligencer's article "From Dump the Pump to kill the drill" was a game-changer in the struggle to keep toxic chemicals used in hydrofracturing for natural gas in Eastern PA out of the Delaware River Basin. This body of water is the source of drinking water for over 17 million people. Bucks County, with a long history of activism and a deep love of the Delaware River and the environment, was ripe for a reaction against natural gas extraction, which from all appearances is not quite ready for use in Special Protection Waters, let alone anywhere. The Intel article awoke a sleeping giant... local activists from the 1980's who are hardened from years of working to protect the Delaware. This experienced cadre can shift the balance of power to citizens whose rights are routinely being trampled by the gas industry. The August 19 event in Warminster Township (see events) will bring a lot of people together who will collaborate on ways to require transparent and totally responsible gas extraction. If you care about your drinking water you'll want to come to Warminster this Thursday, at 7 PM at the Township Building; 401 Gibson Ave. Info at 267.992.8020

Reviewer: Candido Rodriguez Dated: 2010-06-04 20:47:19

From the Living Planet Report 2008 I quote the following: �Humanity�s demand on the planet has more than doubled over the past 45 years as a result of population growth and increasing individual consumption. In 1961, almost all countries in the world had more than enough capacity to meet their own demand; by 2005, the situation had changed radically, with many countries able to meet their needs only by importing resources from other nations and by using the global atmosphere as a dumping ground for carbon dioxide and other green house gases.�� Humanity�s demand on the planet�s living resources, its Ecological Footprint, now exceeds the planet�s regenerative capacity by about 30%. This global overshoot is growing and, as a consequence, ecosystems are being run down and waste is accumulating in the air, land and water. The resulting deforestation, water shortages, declining biodiversity and climate change are putting the wellbeing and development of all nations at risk.� �

Reviewer: Ralph Eldridge Dated: 2010-03-15 21:53:24

Where are the local officials when it comes to helping citizens cope? When the tree blew down on Rt. 202 I didn't have water, lights, heat, a refrigerator or a stove. PECO controls everything in my house. If this ever happens again, I would like to have at least the kitchen in operating condition. PECO controls sustainable living right now. There has to be a better way.

Reviewer: Henry D'Silva Dated: 2010-03-15 20:39:59

Nothing is truly sustainable. The universe began with or without a Big Bang and if and when it will end, we (meaning likely all of humanity and life as we know and can imagine EVER) will NEVER know. Many species have gone extinct long before humans appeared. Nature uses multiple processes to ensure dominance of a species is eventually limited, whether it be destruction by meteorite, famine, fire, flood, disease, quakes or global warming/climate change. Humans did evolve in a manner to acquire and to utilize knowledge to a degree that over centuries enhanced their own survival. Agriculture is a unique example of evolution leading to acquisition of skills other species have been very limited to the point where it amazes us to note how smart an animal can be (relatively). Yet a similar level of smartness in humans is taken for granted by us and we use terms such as �bird brain, smartest monkey in the zoo� etc. But natural selection via evolution is a process of advancement and of limitation in its impact on species. I believe our human skills which we acquired through the brilliant process of evolution, may also be our demise or at minimum, result in a great decline of the human presence in nature and on our planet through the process used by nature & evolution called natural selection. Natural selection also weeds out the predominant species when it encroaches significantly upon the habitat of others. Even if we have not accepted this, I believe this to be the case. We may never know or find out. Nature will decide or has already decided when human skills that for centuries have lengthened our lifespan (via agriculture, domestication of animals for human use, introduction of sanitation and technology that preserved and enhanced distribution of food and advancement of health etc. yes even legislation favoring clean air and clean water) need to be curtailed so other life forms and the great natural process needs protection from these ultra smart beings who just aren�t smart enough to protect themselves. Greed is a human feature shared only by animals who relate closely to humans, such as household cats and dogs, perhaps chimps. My theory is the desire to acquire more than we need resulted from our long standing sense of insecurity. Having ample food helps us feel secure, even if this is false because this security has to do with more with perception than with reality. We rarely observe obesity in the wild (in absence of disease). Curiosity and the quest for discovery predominate in humans although certainly present in many if not most species. Such human features produce the drive to develop and invent new techniques and technologies. All of this (curiosity, need for discovery and invention, greed, the desire to dominate) coupled with reproduction and the instinct not only for survival but also for predominance by numbers (very hard to get people to talk rationally of population control even with intense environmentalists) make us intentionally or otherwise draw on natural resources to the point of being oblivious of the Living Planet Index (perhaps you wondered why I was ranting about evolution etc.) and how our human strengths bestowed on us through evolution are now the demons haunting us with threats of mass extinction not only of ourselves but many others in our paths. Nature pulls them along in the trawler net although the big catch is us, humans. Please do comment and criticize.

Reviewer: Henry D'Silva Dated: 2010-02-25 07:02:16

The Sustainability Dilemma -- I don't mean to question or criticize defending and protecting our precious environment and our community values. However, I do want review some history and invite some comments and criticism. My data is largely limited to the US.In 1800 the US population was 5.3 million. Average US lifespan was 35 years (some data estimate 24 years in 1796). People lived without electricity and cars. By 1900 US population was 63 million, lifespan rose to 48 years. The first electric power plant was built at Niagara in 1895. Most persons had no electricity or cars in 1900. (http://vicentelopez0.tripod.com/eleceng.html). Come Y2K US population was 281.4 million. 2010 predicts around 315 million, average lifespan 79 years. Electricity serves 99% of US population 50% being coal generated. An estimated 246 million vehicles (cars, buses, trucks etc.) were registered in 2010. What do humans want and what are human needs in the US from 2010 through 2050? Whereas defining our needs is problematic, defining our wants as simply limitless is perhaps easier. So what are basic human needs in 2010 in the developed and in the developing world as we seek to define sustainability? How long do we expect to live? What do we need (not want) to consume during our lifespan? Are we prepared to ration ourselves? If so how? Some groups such as Transition Towns suggest answers such as communities that work locally, growing and consuming foods locally and generating local clean renewable energy, biking, walking, focusing on community (people) values & local interaction and libraries rather than TV and other gadgets and appliances, re-discover value in family & neighbors, reducing fossil fuels consumption and building resilience. Will it work? Do we have a choice? Will super Technocrats provide quick, dependable and affordable solutions for all of us that electricity and gasoline did until they poisoned us? All the CFLs, LEDs, caulk and littered dollars Amory Lovins sees together with Solar, Wind, Hydrogen, (even nuclear if I may mention) etc. will unlikely help if we choose to live to 90 (or 85) in ever burgeoning human numbers who demand more in the US and across the world. But who is going to bell the cat? Birth control, Compassionate Choices, Death panels or am I going too far? Are we prepared to program routine brownouts or blackouts of sufficient length and frequency into our lives? How about clean air, water restrictions, pitcher baths and other means of conservation? Do we seriously need to re-consider and re-assess and perhaps downsize our needs before nature makes that choice for us? Or will nature attend to us the way nature knows best? Please feel free to comment on (or condemn) my thoughts and/or to offer your solutions.

Reviewer: Debbie Barndt Dated: 2010-02-16 04:42:35

" Coal Country" is coming! Coal Country is a vey moving documentary examining the complex economic, environmental, and social impacts of coal through the hearts and minds of the people it matters to the most. Will the US pursue "clean coal" development? We need to be informed about all the implications of its' development! Come see the film!

Reviewer: Ann Dated: 2010-02-15 09:46:46

JUST SAY NO TO FRACK 1 DRILL PAD NEEDS 3-5 ACRES OF BULLDOZED FOREST 3-9 MILLION GALLONS OF WATER , DRAINING STREAMS AND THEN NO PLACE TO DUMP TOXIC SOUP DISCHARGE. LITTLE OVERSIGHT OR REGS IN PLACE. COST OF DRILLING DOES NOT SAVE MONEY OVERALL SO THE CHOICE IS, POLLUTED WATER SOURCES, OR GAS, FOR NO ECONOMIC BENEFIT EXCEPT FOR EXXON, WHO STILL HAS NOT CLEANED UP VALDEZ ALASKA

Reviewer: Larry Menkes Dated: 2010-02-11 15:29:43

A Stitch in Time by Larry Menkes 2/10/10 These beautiful snowy days nourish my openness to a fresh look at the world. As my familiar Bucks County neighborhood was transformed by a record snowfall, I began to view the world with new eyes. In that mellow state of reflective leisure I heard a radio show interviewing an American journalist just back from three years in China. (James Fallow: How America Can Rise Again; Atlantic Monthly, Jan.-Feb. 2010). He was seeing a familiar nation with new eyes. I nearly leapt out of my chair when he said that the first thing he noticed on his return was how bad our railway system is. I first heard this judgment in 2005 from James Howard Kunstler (The Long Emergency, Road to Nowhere, and other classics) who said the "America has a railway system that the Bulgarians would be ashamed of". I was keenly aware of that last Tuesday trying to escape from center city Philadelphia as I was leaving a seminar at rush hour. I looked at my schedule and found that if I hurried I might just barely miss the 4:32 and have a half hour wait until the next train. In today's world that is almost a lifetime. In Washington, DC, where I often ride the Metro at rush hour there'd be another train in less than half that time. I pushed on through the crowds counting on the fact that this train is often late. This time I made it with seconds to spare. This kind of thing is hard to notice when what's around you is the only thing you know. It's kind of like your family of origin and your locality. The one you grow up in shapes your understanding of families and places, whether or not they were normal, healthy, safe, or dysfunctional. Around these parts it's a parochial, provincial attitude that doesn't readily yield to common sense or change. The Delaware Valley has a long history of that. In the early 20th century "Harper's Magazine commented that "The one thing unforgivable in Philadelphia is to be new, to be different from what has been". Having a close association the local Municipal Planning Organization (MPO), the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC), I was aware of their latest long-range plan. Called "Connections", it "establishes four key strategies that are essential to realizing a sustainable future". At the top is, "Managing growth and protecting natural resources". As a former Coordinator in the Post Carbon Institute Relocalization Network it sounded like an oxymoron. I can barely imagine two billion Chinese and Indian citizens trying to live like middle class Americans. It would take the resources of three or four Earth-like planets to accommodate that. One of the resources we'd soon find in short supply would be petroleum. The age of cheap oil is already behind us. It's over. We're in terra incognito with energy. Potable water would be a close second along with a few other essentials. The Connections plan also says, "Establishing a modern transportation system that serves all modes." Yet the budget split that the DVRPC ratified allocates 60 percent for highways and mere a 40 percent for mass transit. That's all five modes of mass transit: busses, trolley busses, trolleys, light, and heavy rail. No wonder our railroads suck. As petroleum resources begin to collapse under the pressures of increasing demand and limits to extraction, prices for refined product will also rise to and above the record 2008 levels. As was obvious then, when trains were scarce and much regional railroad parking was nearly impossible, our sub-Bulgarian system will not hold up to the demand. Formal plans to revive three local lines (Quakertown-Reading, R-8 Newtown, and the NH&IRR to New Hope from Warminster's R-2 terminus) are highly dependent on hard economic realities. In this moment of economic collapse rivaling the historic Great Depression of the 1930's the likelihood of these projects bearing fruit is questionable. If we allow this kind of thing to go on, it will reinforce the perception that Americans continue to be penny-wise and pound-foolish. And in spite of progress toward a Philly led Green renaissance it will extend the perception that Delaware Valley natives are still parochial yokels. In this new, energy constrained world, we'll expend precious energy for the multiple nine stitches required to repair the damage caused by short-sighted provincial planning that ignores the Black Swans of peak oil and global climate change even as the swans continue to tatter our britches from pecking our behinds. By Larry Menkes � 2010 All rights reserved: reproduction subject to fair use doctrine.

Reviewer: Ken Gallagher The Peace Project Dated: 2010-02-08 12:07:33

The Peace Project of Montgomery County Peaceproject3@gmail.com 215-855-7530 Mosaic Vision Mission Statement: We strive to establish peace by promoting dialogue among diverse cultures and faiths; while respecting the backgrounds and beliefs of all individuals. Our Standard: We honor diversity while celebrating similarities. Diversity +unity= peace. Sampling of Fall 2009 events: 1. Dialoguing for Peace at Lansdale Public Library. We toured Mystic India, viewed the Power of Forgiveness, and explored one hundred years of forced boarding schools and the effects on the spirit of Native Americans. 2. We collected blankets of peace for Native American reservations and the homeless in Lansdale. 3. We continued Building Bridges of Peace through books, music and film. 4. We did several outreach events: � Peace summit for ages 9-16 � Interfaith Peace walk � International peace dinner � Task force for the homeless � International Spring Festival Committee Upcoming Events Program: Film- The Power of Firgiveness  Please join us at Trinity Lutheran Church at 1000 W. Main St. in Lansdale. We are offering a 5 week seminar from January 6 to February 10, at 6:30 pm. Learn about the healing process of forgiveness and its physical, mental and spiritual benefits.  Join the Peace Project, First Baptist Church and Peaceful Hearts as we celebrate the Life and Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Located at First Baptist Church at 7th and Broad St. on Sunday January 17th from 2 to 4 pm.  Please join the International Spring Festival Committee on January 20 at 6pm, located at 401 Hancock St in Lansdale for a taste of the International Spring Festival.  Please join us at the Lansdale Public Library on January 27th from 6:45 to 8:45 pm for an inspiring film of the �Children�s March.� In May 1963, over 3,000 children as young as four years old, marched for freedom in Birmingham Alabama.  Join us on February 24th from 6:45 to 8:45 pm at the Lansdale Public Library for a powerful documentary �A Place at the Table: Struggles for Equality in America.� A group of young people share their ancestors� struggles, triumphs, fears and hopes. This is a moving story of what it means to be an American.  Join us on March 24th from 6:45 to 8:45 pm at the Lansdale Public Library for the academy Award film �One Survivor Remembers.� The story of an ordinary teenager who lost everything to the Nazi regime, but held on to hope while refusing to allow her own humanity to be diminished by others. Future Events  Please Join us on April 17 from 11 am to 5pm. For the 19th annual International Spring Festival at North Penn High School.  Join us on Saturday May 1st at 7 pm for a very special event: Peace through Music; Songs Around the World. No passport necessary. Come to our first annual Peace Party as we take an amazing cinematic journey through song and dance. We will be joined by local artists and musicians who will share their talents and skills so that our heart beats can act as one. Location: TBA.  Join us on Saturday June 19th from 10am to 5 pm for Lansdale�s first annual Pow Wow. Celebrate, educate and advocate for the struggles and triumphs of our Native American brothers and sisters. Location: TBA.  Join the Peace project on June 18, 19, 20 and 21 as we ask churches, temples, synagogue and mosques to gather in prayer for �right relationships with our Native American brothers and sisters.� Wanted: A Peace Project Dream  A safe fun and creative space to provide interfaith and multicultural programming. We envision a mixture of a living museum, an educational forum and a sacred space. We are an all volunteer staff with a very limited budget. If you have or know someone who may be willing to donate or share space, primarily in the Lansdale community or nearby please call or email.  The Peace project of Montgomery County  www.peaceproject3@gmail.com or 215-855-7530 Rosemary Gallagher, Executive Director Highlighting Egypt Official Name: Arab Republic of Egypt Capitol: Cairo Languages: Arabic, English and French. Coptic Christians still speak a language that is descendant of the ancient Egyptian language. Religion: about 94% are Sunni Muslim, about 6% are Coptic, Christian and others Ethnic Groups: About 90% are Egyptians, Bedouins and Berbers. The other 10% are Nubian, Armenian, Syro Lebanese, Greek, Jewish, French and Italian. Location: North eastern portion of the African continent. It is home to the Sahara, which is the world�s largest desert. It also has the world�s largest river which is the Nile River. Egypt also houses the oldest and most famous of the 7 wonders of the ancient world, which are the Pyramids and the Great Sphinx. Egyptian civilization dates back to at least 4000 B.C. The oldest �Golden Rule� has been traced back to ancient Egypt. Daily Life: Family is the main focus of daily life and elders are respected for their guidance. Western clothing may be worn along with traditional clothing. Soccer is the favorite sport and backgammon is a favorite game. Bizarres are a fun place to socialize, shop and bargain. Egyptians in general are considered to be kind, generous, with a good sense of humor, and a love of stories. Egyptians in comparison to Western culture seem to have a more relaxed attitude. Egyptian Holidays: Sham el Nessim (The arrival of spring) this festival unites Muslims and Coptic Christians in a tradition which is over 4,000 years old. Another celebration which Muslims and Coptic Christians honor is Sebooh. It is held on a newborn baby�s seventh day of life. Families gather together to pray and honor this new life. The most important Coptic Christian holiday is Easter. This holiday is celebrated after a 55 day fast. Christmas is the second most important Coptic Christian holiday. It is celebrated on January 7. Important Muslim holidays include Ramadan, Eid el Fitr and Eid el Adha. Please refer to our Fall 2009 newsletter for detailed descriptions of these holidays. Eat Like an Egyptian. This the way you can make Egyptian yogurt salad. Ingredients:2 cups of raisins, 2 cups walnuts, 2 large containers of plain yogurt, 2 medium cucumbers, peeled and diced, one tablespoon of crushed dill one tablespoon crushed mint and one teaspoon of lemon juice. Mix and serve chilled. Enjoy with mint tea or mango juice. While dining, listen to some Egyptian music on line for free. Resources: www.touregypt.net www.memphis.edu/egypt Egyptian embassy 2310 Decatur place, N.W. Washington D.C. 20008 Voices of Faith Who are the Copts? The Term Copt: and Egyptian has the same meaning and derives from the Greek word Aigyptas. The Coptic language Is the last shape of the language of the ancient Egyptians. The founder of the Coptic Church. According to early writings, Coptic Christianity began with a visit in the first century A.D. from the Apostle Mark. St. Mark is regarded by the Coptic hierarchy as the first of the unbroken chain of one hundred seventeen popes. He is also the first of the Egyptian saints and martyrs. Church of Martyrs. After the martyrdom of St. Mark, the Coptic Church faced severe persecutions. The seventh persecution (284 to 305 A.D.) is considered by the Copts as the age of persecution. Catechetical school of Alexandria was founded by St. Mark. Its main discipline was religion. The Church of Monasticism This movement was started in Egypt and is ascribed to St.Anthony (251-356 A.D.) Doctrinal: St. Athanasius was a Coptic Pope. He was the Egyptian Hero of Faith, who defended the divinity of Jesus Christ. In 325 A.D., he contributed most of the Nicene Creed, which all Christians profess in their faith. Worship and Practice In the Coptic churches, most prayers are read out loud and repeated as it would have been spoken in ancient Egypt. Their sabot days are Saturday and Sunday. A place of worship is considered sacred so, shoes are removed before entering. Coptic priests wear black vestments and have long beards. The Coptic Pope is called a patriarch. Coptic Christians usually tattoo a Coptic cross on their wrists. The Coptic Church is related to other eastern apostolic churches such as Greek, Armenian, and Syrian orthodox churches. In 1954, the Ethiopian Church officially separated from the Coptic Church. They now have their own Pope but follow the rituals of the Coptic Church. There are about 6 million Coptic Christians in Egypt. They reside mostly in middle Egypt. Copts Today Coptic Christians hope and pray for the same things that all people of good will want: A safe place for their families to grow and flourish. Throughout the centuries Coptic�s have suffered oppression and persecution. Until all global citizens accept that justice and equality has to be for everyone, or it will not exist for anyone. We will continue to be at war with one another. We would like to thank Fr. Antonious Salib for providing some materials for this section of Voices of Faith. For more information please contact St. Mary and St. Kyrillo Coptic Orthodox Church P.O. Box 340 Hatfield, Pa. 19440-0430.

Reviewer: Larry Menkes Dated: 2010-02-06 21:19:15

There's a lot more than the devil's own toxic cocktail coming from Marcellus Shale drilling. The air pollution coming from there can travel far from the sites, and on a NW breeze beautiful Bucks County is downwind. Yet "indoor air pollution can be can be 10 times worse than L.A. on a bad day, no matter where you live." Friday, March 5th (7 PM) the Environmental Home Store in Doylestown will be presenting a dynamic video-discussion led by Jill Kowalski, and indoor air quality specialist and green interior designer, in the regions most non-toxic retail space. Located at 320 N. Broad St., the EHS is Bucks County's first source for non-toxic interior finishes, kitchens and bath and more. Best yet, it's free!

Reviewer: Dave Meiser Dated: 2010-01-04 09:28:24

As for the rate caps coming off, I am not a Peco customer, I am a member of the Energy Cooperative! (http://www.theenergy.coop) which is a nonprofit cooperative, owned and controlled by the consumers who use our services in Southeastern PA. I have EcoChoice100 which is 100% renewable, real, and local electricity available to members in PECO�s service territory. Yes it is more expensive than Peco but it is 100% renewable electricity! (no Coal, no Nuke) and I will not have the sticker shock with the upcoming Peco rate jump! They also have home heating oil and bio-Biodiesel

Reviewer: Larry Menkes Dated: 2009-12-23 10:57:07

Taking Personal Responsibility for Climate Change As a professional Sustainability Advocate I'm often asked about what things a person can do to make a difference for the environment. I usually suggest low hanging fruit like changing light bulbs, except these days I recommend switching to LED's. Yes, LED's. (I know they are expensive but I paid over $25 for my first compact fluorescent lamp in 1986 when the climate crisis wasn't as obvious.) Then, I usually recommend getting a certified home energy audit by an experienced auditor and following his advice. My final bit of advice, when someone who is only willing to do one thing asks about the single best thing to do, I give them John Robbins advice, give up eating red meat. This essay on taking responsibility for climate change, from Jan Lundberg, (http://culturechange.org/cms/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=581&Itemid=1) pretty neatly and eloquently sums up my attitude on the foundations from which we should act. Because he's such an authority, I urge you to take HIM, not me, to task if you disagree with his analysis and prescription. By the way, Jan's put his money, his mouth, and his energy toward making a real difference. For example, he's instituted the low carbon Sail Transport Network to bring goods and produce across Puget Sound, the region in which he lives. I've heard many arguments about how we should start by giving people the simple, easy things to do. I guess they figure that will eventually lead them to doing the more important things. That strategy may have worked in 1986, but we're too close to the edge of the roof today for that to work. As Sam Walton said, "the time for incremental change has passed. What we need is a revolution". My strategy is to lead people to the big changes: if they can get it they'll take care of the little things along the way. Which works best? I really can't say for sure, but if you manage live for another decade, we'll both find out.

Reviewer: Ted Inoue Dated: 2009-12-19 06:34:46

I'm with Larry - conservation first! To get technical. and address the generator question specifically, on industrial scales, combined heat and power systems work very well, achieving total energy efficiencies from gas turbines of 75%+. These systems use the normally wasted heat from the generators for industrial processes or space heating. A good natural gas generator is about 38% efficient at converting the energy in NG to electricity. What does this mean for a homeowner? If gas costs $1.70/CCF, that translates to $0.153/kwh, a little less than PECO charges now and a lot less than it probably will charge after the rate caps. So we're actually right around the point where a good gas generator costs about the same or less to run than buying the electricity from PECO costs. Keep two things in mind: 1) residential generators are meant to be used for "backup" purposes, running a few hours here and there. If you're looking at using the generator for 100% of your home's needs, then you need one designed for continuous use, which is considerably more expensive. In round numbers, you're looking at $10,000+ for a home generator system. 2) Natural gas prices are very volatile. Some say gas prices are headed down because of the huge shale gas finds (ignoring the environmental questions about that for now) However, if everybody switches to NG because it's inexpensive, costs will rise. In this area, you're mostly buying gas from PECO or Electricity from PECO. So you're tied to them regardless. Some may want the security of having their own electricity supply. But do we really want every home to have a generator humming away, 24/7/365? Bucks is a peaceful, quiet place to live. Anyway, to be pragmatic, I'm with Larry. Tune up your home and save about 30%. And, keep in mind that improving your home affects future owners, reducing their energy use, pollution generated, etc. The best thing you can do for yourself and future generations is make your home as energy efficient as possible. To this end, see: www.TedsEnergyTips.com Start with tips 7 and 8.

Reviewer: Larry Menkes Dated: 2009-12-18 19:30:37

Forget the backyard generator for now. Most of us unwittingly waste 50% to as much as 90% of the energy we use in our homes. Invest your generator money in a proper home energy audit. That'll buy you a scientific assessment of where the waste is and the most cost effective strategy for fixing it. Since lighting is 10% to 20% of the home energy budget it's an easy one to address. While you're waiting for the auditor, get rid of your wasteful incandescent light bulbs. Compact fluorescent lamps can save 70%. Holiday lights draw a lot of power at some homes but LED lights can cut the waste by almost 90%. And nothing beats turning of the lights and appliances you're not using. There are dozens of ideas like this that a certified energy auditor will tell you about and back it up with numbers that make sense.

Reviewer: Steven Nosrevi Dated: 2009-12-03 09:33:29

Using technology to get the message of mass transit across is nothing short of amazing. However, it is clear that the invited group (PA-TEC) was invited only to be attacked. It seems that boorish Councilman Joseph Denelsbeck had an agenda and refused to listen to PA-TEC's answers. On a larger scale, it is a shame that a small town like Rockledge, (who is very lucky to have mass transit), is unwilling to help out neighboring towns along the usused railway line by at least keeping an open mind concerning the return of a sorely needed railway line. The greater good is unimportant, it seems. I distinctly recall Denelsbeck screaming "Oh, Bucks County's problems are OUR problems?" to which PA-TEC member Paul Iverson answered "sure they are. We all sit in traffic, yes?" Denelsbeck did not answer. Hopefully, Rockledge will step outside of their shell, see the larger picture, and help PA-TEC in their efforts.

Reviewer: Regina Dated: 2009-12-01 10:02:15

I enjoyed the web broadcast. Even though my computer screen kept freezing every 5 seconds, the audio came in great. I was glad to at least be able to hear what people were saying. Regarding the meeting: I feel disappointed in the apparently intransigent behavior from the Rockledge Borough council. I found the one councilman's (whose name I can't recall) behavior at times to be rather rude and belligerent. Since they voted unanimously to reject PA-TEC's proposal, it seems to me that the Rockledge council is not the least bit interested in considering any change in their community's status quo. As a supporter of the revival of the R-8 line, I consider this a shame, and I only hope that other townships and/or boroughs will have more of an open mind to the potential benefits of restoring the train line.

Reviewer: Jon Frey Dated: 2009-11-30 20:43:49

PA-TEC extends its gratitude to OneifbyLand Productions for covering and promoting our meeting in Rockledge Borough on 11/30/2009. Having our event webcast on OneifbyLand.com was an excellent way for our group to reach out to many people in the region who are interested in transportation projects such as the R8 Newtown Line, but coiuld not personally attend. We are grateful to the OneifbyLand Productions team for all of the hard work and time they put in to covering our event. Their team was very polite, couteous, and interested in covering our event for what it was as a good team of journalists would.

Reviewer: Ralph Dated: 2009-11-23 14:47:47

You can read on trains. Less stress and it doesn't burn a gas hole in my pocket.

Reviewer: Ted Inoue Dated: 2009-10-11 08:10:57

In fact, Bucks residents do have access to many forward thinking, green-minded people who can help to create your own super-efficient home or make your existing home more efficient. Did you know that one of the few Sustainable Building classes is held at Bucks County Community College? These last four years, this class has been quietly educating architects, builders, contractors and others so that now there are nearly 100 certified Sustainable Building Advisors in the area. The challenges we face in creating our own homes like the Passive Haus are cost and familiarity. Most contractors in our area, along with the building officials, are very resistant to trying anything that isn't main-stream. However, there are some who will work with you, and it's quite possible to put together a talented team in Bucks to create a house to these standards.

Reviewer: Liz Beth Dated: 2009-03-24 20:36:04

I am impressed, Love the stories.

Reviewer: Elise Dated: 2009-03-13 17:42:57

Melissa the site looks great!

Reviewer: Dave Dated: 2009-02-22 10:00:38

This is a great site. Bucks County residents should appreciate te wealth of information here. I certainly do.

Reviewer: Diane Dated: 2009-02-18 18:04:27

Ahhh, can't wait to see this technology promoted in the United States both for what it will save in terms of global warming and also in promoting good health for all Americans.

Reviewer: Keith Dated: 2009-02-18 16:01:06

I wonder why the man from California couldn't get a credit for a heat exhanger? Hummm.... Necessity the mother of invention will in due course - I believe - mandate this sensible approach to being practical and kind to the planet.

Reviewer: Rachel Dated: 2009-02-18 11:21:58

If only there were a way to access advanced technology. Regular people need a direct line to scientists.