I have received a flyer with my electric bill for the last couple of months offering generators and hook-up for their clients (at a cost of course, with option to pay over a period of months) Their nice offer and reasoning of course is the possibility of severe weather. They also provide a y2k update that they are working hard and everything will be fine for the new year. This is a service I have never seen offered before. Take this for what it's worth but I was just wondering if any other power companies are offering this. LG

-- LG (www.mimesis@webtv.net), June 22, 1999

Answers

LG, What's your power company, and where is it? Is it a small rural coop or is it a larger company?

-- (dot@dot.dot), June 22, 1999.

It was a small coop but changed over in January to Great Lakes Energy. Located in Northern Michigan.

-- LG (www.mimesis@webtv.com), June 22, 1999.

Seems like a good idea to me, to offer that service. They know a lot of people are buying generators and that some people *will* hook them up as backfeeders to their power panels. If the main CB isn't switched off in that case, some lineman can get hurt trying to work on equipment near that house. So, this way they get to see that it is installed correctly, and even sell one, if that's what you want. Smart.

-- Gordon (gpconnolly@aol.com), June 22, 1999.

If you are thinking of buying, spend the extra money to buy an industrial rated propane unit (uses any size tank, easiest/safest to store). Most units under $900.00 are not rated for "heavy use".

-- BiGG (supersite@acronet.net), June 22, 1999.

Have to go with Gordon on this one. Very smart of the power company.

On a personal note, generator is about the last thing on my list of preps. I will eventually run out of gas and it will be a hunk of metal on the side of my house. I would have been better off spending the money on food.

-- b (b@b.b), June 23, 1999.

Our large co op is buying 50kw and above and selling them to businesses and installing them. We received a note in our bill that if we install a genset we are to notify them so they can check it out. We are in process of installing a 40kw and the electrical contractor had to pull a permit from the county. I am not against permits and inspections, but this one makes me nervous. This generator is big enuff that some *gubmint* such as FEMA or county might decide they need it worse than we do. Never mind that we will be pumping water for the whole neighborhood. Or that we have livestock that drink lots of water. It makes me real nervous when I know the purchasing agent of the local city and she has been told that they are going to buy generators, but so far can't get a PO out of them and the generators (big ones) are now months in back orders. The city HAS ordered lots of street barricades and cones, however. Does that tell you something? As each day passes and the more I read, I am MORE worried about the Iron Triangle than ever before. Yet the public who used to not pay attention or didn't know about y2k, is now considering themselves up on the subject and are convinced that its all a bunch of crap and nothing is going to happen. Even those who were giving it serious thought have now decided its all "been fixed".

A very worried Taz who has made a decision to go out and buy more staples, another 500# of wheat, etc.

-- Taz (Tassie @aol.com), June 23, 1999.

Taz,

I have the same concern as you do about the authorities taking a generator for other "public" needs. But I think they would take the portable units just as fast, maybe more so. The fact that you are raising livestock (farmer ?) may help a lot. Also if you are sharing the power with others. The key will be to show that it is already doing public duty and needs to stay where it is. As to any generator, portable or larger, you can install a 500 gallon or larger propane tank to run them (with a conversion kit) and that will last for a pretty long time. Propane will probably be no more (or less) of a problem to get than gasoline, but with such a large storage tank you can wait far longer between refills or top-offs. Just a thought.

-- Gordon (gpconnolly@aol.com), June 23, 1999.

Generators indicate that you have prepared. You become a target. Be prepared to defend your home and your life for a little electricity. People will see by your generator that you preped and they will assume you may have thought of food and water, too. Try not to be a target or have plenty of ammo for 24/7 guard duty.

-- y2khippo (y2khippo@yahoo.com), June 23, 1999.