HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Rural Voice, 2002-03, Page 6PRICE, SERVICE
& SATISFACTION
2000 DODGE DAKOTA
CLUB CAB SPORT
2 WD, V6 auto. aluminum wheels.
tonneau cover, loaded only 41.000 kms
$21,900
1994 DODGE RAM 2500
REGULAR CAB SLT
2 WD. diesel, auto, with moulded
boards and chrome wheels. certified.
$14,900
1998 DODGE RAM 1500
REGULAR CAB SLT
360 V8, auto, H.D. equipped for trailer
tow, fibreglass cap, only 66,000 kms.,
loaded, one owner.
Try an offer. $18,900
2000 DODGE DAKOTA
CLUB CAB SPORT
2 WD. V8. stick, only 42.000 kms
one owner
$20,900
HANOVER CHRYSLER
DODGE JEEP
664 -10th St.,
Hanover
1-866-788-8886
CHRYSLER
—ham
Jeep
Phone: (519) 364-3570
2 THE RURAL VOICE
1\1111NIN1N111'
Feedback
Net billing would
make home power
generation more
practical
I'd like to commend Mark Nonkes
on his article in the February Rural
Voice on privatization of the
electrical utilities. I'd also like the
opportunity to clarify a few
statements attributed to me. The
articles claim that I spend much time
trying to prevent people from
building windmills for economic
reasons needs to be put in context.
If someone is motivated only by
the desire to reduce existing hydro
costs I would certainly say a wind
turbine is far down the list of shrewd
investments for most locations. Most
of the smart money in the future will
be spent on efficiency and
conservation technologies that most
other developed countries are far
ahead of the U.S. and Canada in
utilizing. That said, there are lots of
other good reasons to utilize wind
power as Ziggy Kleinau suggested,
such as the environment and energy
security, and I'd add that the
aesthetics are pleasing. Much also
depends on what energy costs do.
I'd not suggest that "it isn't worth
it" to build, install and maintain their
own turbine simply because I've
found there is a huge range of
abilities, resources and applications
out there that could make dollars and
sense.
The big sticking point really for
most people (those grid -connected)
which unfortunately wasn't
mentioned in the article is that
currently, and as I understand for the
foreseeable future, energy providers
don't have to allow access to the grid
to those wishing to install their own
renewable energy source.
Landowners and organizations like
the OFA should be pushing for
legislation that would at least provide
for net billing opportunities (turning
your meter backwards to a maximum
of 0). Most U.S. states have legislated
this access provided safety and
quality standards are met. Then wind
turbine installations become much
more cost effective by getting rid of
the expense, aggravation and
environmental cost of battery storage.
The grid gets clean power and people
with good wind sites get a good
return on their investment.
The potential bad side of
deregulation could be that we trade a
public owned monopoly for a
privately owned one with little or no
opportunity for individuals to use
new R.E. Technology in a way that
could benefit us all.
Lastly the turbines I make are
closer to $1,500 in cost than the
$5,000 price mentioned in the
article.0
— Robert Budd, Bayfield.
Monsanto should pay
extra GMO costs
not farmers
The issue of labelling genetically -
modified food is an important one for
farmers. On January 29, the National
Farmers Union appeared before the
House of Commons Committee on
Agriculture and we stressed over and
over again that farmers cannot be
expected to shoulder the costs that the
proponents of genetic modification
are predicting.
The NFU presentation stated:
"Dealing with any extra costs
associated with the identification,
identity preservation, and segregation
of the genetically engineered
components in the food supply
system is a separate question (from
the actual labelling). Any extra costs
here should be attached to the
proponents and the varietal
registration system... With the
registration and release of genetically
engineered food with no
consideration of the market impact or
potential supply chain problems, the
Canadian Food Inspection Agency