Newsletter - Summer 2008
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The Constant is Change

7/15//2008

Submitted By: Paul Favatella
Marketing & Research Analyst

It is a new world, again.

Prior to the 20^th Century, going back for millennia, the common means of transportation was the horse, which was only available to the wealthy.  Common technology of the world, other than the Gutenberg Press, railroads and guns, would not surpass that of Ancient Rome until the end of the 19^th Century.  

To highlight the speed technology has progressed, all we need to do is look back 50 years. That is only 58 years from the end of the 19^th Century.

 In this country, the decisions regarding electricity or natural gas were which switch or plug to use or where to set the thermostat. In the 50’s, many people continued to heat their homes with coal, and air conditioning was uncommon.

• In 1958 a 60 AMP Electrical Service was cutting edge in a residential setting.

• By 1978, very few homes were heated with coal and 100 Amp Electrical Services were commonplace.  In the late 70’s, 1950’s technology and procedures were history; the only constant is change.

• Today, most new homes have 200 Amp Electrical Services and air conditioning.  Those individuals who heat with coal or wood are few and far between.

In 2008, the challenges involve volatile energy markets and restoring and safeguarding the environment.  Yesterday’s price limits are tomorrows bargain.  No matter what your opinion on Global Warming, we are addicted to convenience and outdated technology. As always, we have options to move forward, hopefully ahead of the curve.

Those options are not clear, other than we must change and adapt.  We must adjust our consumption habits and create or adapt technologies and procedures that facilitate strong domestic and world economies.  Our goal should be an energy production and consumption system that permits everyone an economical and healthy standard of living while allowing for a clean natural environment for all.

We must decide which policies will not paint our economy into the corner again.  The reliance on fossil fuels must make way for those that assist in our goal of self-reliance.  Possibly we should follow the example of a small rural school district in Michigan called Elkton Pigeon Bayport School District, and many similar projects.  The school district powers itself with wind turbines and the students press oil from soybeans and sunflower seeds to produce biodiesel.

The U.S. economy, and many others, were founded and based on two commodities being inexpensive.  One is labor.  The other is energy.  It is not possible to sustain our standard of living without at least one these expenses being affordable.  Our future is ours to decide.