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Tim, you wouldn't have to INCREASE the tax on fuel, just drop the subsidies given by the gub-ment to the fuel producers. This will boost the at-pump price to about $3.75 per US Gal (87 octane) and about $4.00 for 93 octane.

But cut subsidies? Someone already mentioned hell freezing over....

And with the destruction of FL citrus, (canker and the new one, greening) expect juice prices to get higher because the stores think they can pull it off... Nurseries should replant the citrus, as its good for reducing CO2, improving groundwater, habitat for wildlife, and better than development (which is where most of it is ending up).

Agriculture is the oldest industry (Adam tended to the garden before Eve even showed up - but that's another discussion), and is critically dependent on environmental stewardship for its very existence. So, in effect, farmers were the first environmentalists.

I agree that we're not windy enough to successfully run wind farms, but we should look forward to a blended approach (coal, petrol, gas, solar, nuke, etc.) to lower dependence on any one fuel source, as well as increase dependability

Are you saying that even if solar panels are "the right thing to do" you won't put them up because no one is giving you a discount? Is it "right" only when it's cheap?

What about hydro-generators that work off the Gulf Stream? What is that, about a 4 kt average current?


A couple of points.

The Florida citrus industry is questionable agriculture practice.

It is a monoculture, meaning that when one "bug" is a problem it affects the entire industry. The mediterranean fruit fly, burrowing nematode and canker are potential threats to the entire industry.

It requires a very long lead time to attain profitablility. It is, afterall, a kind of tree farming.

Lastly, it is a type of hydroponic farming. As such it requires almost constant fertilization and irrigation, as well as pest control.

Couple that with high labor costs and foreign competition. Florida citrus needs to be looking elsewhere. If not wind then solar.

From Tim's example, it looks like a 15 year break even propostion. Except that the "grove" owner wouldn't have a $600/month electricity bill for each 5,000 square feet. There should be a small, day one profit for each unit of production. Multiply that times 17,000 acres and it is a significant profit. Particularly if given favorable tax treatment.

If you believe that the Iraq war and its cost in blood and treasure is in any way attributabled to dependance on foreign oil, then solar investment becomes a no brainer. Even at current levels of efficiency.

All that is really lacking is the political will to make it happen.


So if all of you driving gas guzzlers will put "solar power" bumper stickers on your big iron, all will be right with the world!!

[1 acre = 43,560 square feet. If 5,000 square feet of solar panels will produce $600 worth of electricity a month. Then 1 acre will produce (43,560/5000=8.712x$600= $5,227.2/month.) Surely you can make a living off those numbers.]

Last edited by Tikipete; 03/26/07 01:06 PM.