Frankenstorm for Halloween??!!

[W8taminute]

I'm not sure I agree with public companies.  I'd rather implement harsh laws against private companies that put people in danger such as not upgrading antiquated systems and placing people in a situation with no power during the cold season. 

[LongBlade]

The BBC's Mike Wooldridge: "In some places frustration is now boiling over"


Fights broke out at petrol stations in New York and New Jersey, and power suppliers warned some areas might not have electricity until 11 November.



http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-20177276


Situations like this allow companies that have not put money into maintenance to externalise costs to citizens. They could be sitting on >50 year old infrastructure that should have been fixed/upgraded long ago. Now they can say big bad storm destroyed everything give us x millions in bailout for all new construction. If you don't people will not get power. Or they get ductape fixed power until the next one.


There are times when the public interest trumps making a buck. That is a time for public companies.

Agreed. Public utilities are a classic example of market failure.

Fox has an example of people throwing eggs at utility workers. Talk about biting the hand that feeds you.

Angry residents pelted utility crews with eggs as they tried to restore power in Bridgeport, Conn., after the mayor claimed the local power company had "shortchanged" the state's largest city as it tries to recover from superstorm Sandy.

United Illuminating workers reported eggs and other objects being thrown at them a day after Mayor Bill Finch said the utility was taking care of wealthy suburbs while his constituents suffered. The unrest caused United Illuminating to pull its workers out until the city agreed to provide police protection.

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/11/02/bridgeport-utility-workers-report-having-objects-thrown-at-them-by-residents

[Mr. Bigglesworth]

I'm not sure I agree with public companies.  I'd rather implement harsh laws against private companies that put people in danger such as not upgrading antiquated systems and placing people in a situation with no power during the cold season.

Consider why you want people's lives subject to the desires of for profit enterprises. There are many for profit enterprises that make products that save lives. I used to work at one. The products were high quality. Its a different issue.


If a company provides an option that is critical to life that is great. A company should not have monopoly over anything that is critical to life. A company should not be able to become too big to fail (critical to an economy).

[Gusington]

Please don't use Bridgeport, CT as a gauge for anything. It is a canker on the ass of Satan.

[LongBlade]

Please don't use Bridgeport, CT as a gauge for anything. It is a canker on the ass of Satan.

<chuckle>

Well, it's going to be a dark canker on the ass of Satan for a few more days if they keep that crap up.

[Gusington]

If you saw what lives there you would understand.

[Staggerwing]

Back in about The early 90s I lived in Bridgeport for a few months. It was... interesting. I was crashing at a friend's place. He was renting it from a prominent businessman with strong local ties. Especially one of the local " ...is not a gang... is a club" type organizations. As I said... Interesting.

[TheCommandTent]

So still no power in my neck of the woods but thanfully we are bunking at the inlaws tonight and I got a little online time.  I finally saw the first utility truck in the area today but they are still working on the main feeder lines and substations.  75% of the gas stations in the area are still without power and the ones that do have power have several mile long lines of cars and people waiting for gas for their cars and generators.  The power company says they may have our power restored by next Wed. the 7th.  I am really hoping it comes sooner then that as the are also reporting some possible weather on the 6th and 7th.

[Gusington]

Tent let me extend an invite to you and yours up here if you need it.

[Staggerwing]

I do hope it's not that long Tent. My kids and I are still without power (latest estimate is pretty much the same, 11/5 to 11/6) but we are somewhat fortunate that there is 'city' water here (actually a private company but they've done a fine job) and the local gas stations are mostly up and running. My neighborhood is connected to the main drag by only a few streets and I think the Power Company has written us off as too small to cause them any grief so they are busy fixing the lines to the places that will keep the First Selectman off their backs.

This being without power for a week after every major storm just sucks. Does anyone have either a diesel or Propane/Natural gas generator wired into their home? How long will a propane tank last when powering a 6000 watt to 8000 watt generator? I'm thinking one of those BBQ style ones.

[LongBlade]

I do hope it's not that long Tent. My kids and I are still without power (latest estimate is pretty much the same, 11/5 to 11/6) but we are somewhat fortunate that there is 'city' water here (actually a private company but they've done a fine job) and the local gas stations are mostly up and running. My neighborhood is connected to the main drag by only a few streets and I think the Power Company has written us off as too small to cause them any grief so they are busy fixing the lines to the places that will keep the First Selectman off their backs.

This being without power for a week after every major storm just sucks. Does anyone have either a diesel or Propane/Natural gas generator wired into their home? How long will a propane tank last when powering a 6000 watt to 8000 watt generator? I'm thinking one of those BBQ style ones.

Natural gas is generally pumped in by the city utilities. As long as the infrastructure is in place, you'll have electricity.

I have a small gasoline generator. Five gallons runs it twelve hours.

[TheCommandTent]

Tent let me extend an invite to you and yours up here if you need it.

Thanks man really appreciate it.  Thankfully the in-laws are letting us crash at their place since they have power now.  Do you have power yet or are you still on your generator?

[TheCommandTent]

I do hope it's not that long Tent. My kids and I are still without power (latest estimate is pretty much the same, 11/5 to 11/6) but we are somewhat fortunate that there is 'city' water here (actually a private company but they've done a fine job) and the local gas stations are mostly up and running. My neighborhood is connected to the main drag by only a few streets and I think the Power Company has written us off as too small to cause them any grief so they are busy fixing the lines to the places that will keep the First Selectman off their backs.

I am in the same boat.  Not enough people on my road to be high on the power companies priority list.  The main road that my road is off of hows power now but that contains a main line they are trying to restore to some larger populated and business areas.

Thankfully we are at the in-laws.  They are in the county seat proper so they got power fairly quickly.  It also doesn't hurt that they aren't to far from the hospital.

[Gusington]

^We have power now. The generator worked great though, a great investment.

[TheCommandTent]

^We have power now. The generator worked great though, a great investment.

When If I ever  buy a house  that will be on my list of things to get within the first year.