If you have your own Solar panel or Wind Power setup, or a small Hydro system or other off grid supply of electricity, then this is not for you.
But if you don’t then this might be a wake up call.
I am told by people who buy, sell, and move power around the country that they expect shortfalls this year….By shortfalls, I mean shortfalls in the amount of generation vs the amount of demand for electricity.
See, lots of older plants have gone offline, due to obsolescence, just plain old age, or because the Green people in the Biden administration have regulated these older plants out of service.
But nothing is being built to replace them except wind and solar….which simply won’t get it for actual reliable grid supply. Thus my warning: Expect brownouts or blackouts.
Now, for about 3 days, most generating plants can operate at above 130% of rated load. Then they gotta cut back. Same same with most transmission lines. They can run at an overload FOR A WHILE.
So according to my source, we are about 4 hot days in a row (like over 100 degrees F here in the midwest) from brownouts or blackouts. At some point enough generating plants will be overloaded that they will have no choice but to trip offline. This can (and has) led to a cascade effect leaving lots and lots of people without power.
Got a generator? Know how to use it? Got fuel for it? Fresh fuel? Oil? Have you run it this year? Do you know how to safely connect it to your house? Do you have enough fuel to keep it running for those 3-5 days?
If not, might take a bit of time and remedy that lack, as it looks more and more like some of us might need it sooner rather than later this summer. Possibly most of us if the cascade happens.
If you don’t have a generator and are thinking about buying one, I highly recommend the Honda Inverter generators. Not cheap, but worth the money. Plus they run for a long time on less fuel. (don’t cheap out and get a Harbor Freight Special here, buy a decent generator….)Also have a means to secure the generator. (They can and have been stolen when everyone needs one. A good cable or chain helps at least) (don’t cheap out and get a Harbor Freight Special here, buy a decent generator) Figure your minimal needs. and get a generator that can handle them….. maybe just a bit more. The inverter types don’t run any harder than they have to to meet the demand, and are very frugal on fuel.
But have enough to run your fridge, freezer, and to operate a small window air conditioner at least…that way one room can be comfortable. If yer on a well, decide how much you need water for washing and sanitation.
But plan ahead. I’d not trust your government to care enough (or be competent enough) to make sure you have electrical power. (Unless you live in a Blue City (which will likely get some special priority vs Red rural folks) and maybe not even then)