- All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident. Arthur Schopenhauer (1788 – 1860)
Many years working at electric utilities has served as fertile ground for the observation of energy. My goal is to interpret the mass of information available and to clearly explain the truth (as I understand it) about various subjects. This blog was previously entitled “Energy Matters”. The new title “REAL POLITIK” indicates that a wider scope of subject matter will be examined. Energy and Politics are intertwined.
My passion for writing on energy subjects is borne of optimism that we could change our society if only we understood the problems and knew what to do. Working against this change is corporate self interest that requires “business as usual” and ever increasing volumes of energy. The day when our economy will receive a great shock from peak oil is unfortunately quite near. Time will tell whether we succeed in transforming our footprint into a sustainable level.
My interest in politics comes from listening to politicians telling stories that have no logical basis in fact and wondering what the real story is.
The articles presented here have been previously published in the Telegraph Journal of Saint John.
4 responses so far ↓
Bruce Stevens // January 23, 2008 at 1:13 pm |
Roy, I am enjoying your articles. I’ve had a Smart meter from SJEnergy for about a year and have done some experiments to see how I can shift how I use power without making a large adjustment in my lifestyle (I have a wife). Not much of a problem to shift a lot of my electrical use to off peak times. My house is heated with electric hot air.
A couple of issues I have is that I can’t get SJEnergy to convince NBPower to get better rates for off peak usage and get no response when I asked them what innovative things are being done to make the new building they are constructing an example of energy efficiency construction. I had the opportunity to tour the new building being constructed for Manitoba Hydro in downtown Winnipeg where a lot of effort is being put toward energy efficiency.
I haven’t seen any comments from you on solar energy as a potential energy solution. SunEdison seems to be doing a lot of good work in that area:
http://www.sunedison.com/customers-projects.php
Keep up the good work.
Bruce
robpatrob // July 23, 2008 at 9:38 am |
Thank you for all your wonderful thinking – Rob Paterson
Could we heat sustainably with Wood in Atlantic Canada? « Island Energy // September 19, 2008 at 11:33 am |
[...] Roy MacMullin is one of the people I follow – He brings deep understanding and knowledge to the practical aspects of what confronts us on the energy front. [...]
Charles McNair // November 16, 2009 at 9:56 pm |
Roy …you know I follow you’re work and I can tell you that a lot of others do as well. The proposed sale of NB Power has given New Brunswickers a needed wake up call . People are looking for good information … keep it coming .
Politicians and voters need to know that the status quo as regards NB Power is not an option and that playing politics with the utility has got us to this point. I heard a story (today) of a former NB Power manager who was told by the chairman (a politician) to award a no bid contract to a shop in his riding for which the company had no previous experience . I expect all NB Power managers could tell similar stories.
Best regards,
Charles McNair