ERCOT

The company that is failing Texas to supply electricity states supply and demand requires higher rates.

According to Reuters reporting on February 14, 2021 the cost of wholesale electricity spiked 10,000 percent. Pre-storm price was $30 per megawatt hour. It now sells the same commodity at $9000.

The PUC (Public Utility Commission) of Texas has a “UTILI-FACTS” page on “Charges on Your Electric Bill” that would give any accountant fainting spells. No wonder they have their own grid; it’s a racket and the federal system has no relationship.

PUC offers about five different types of rates. Sign onto a long term contract and a consumer won’t pay $9000/kilowatt hour. But, if a Texan felt lucky and opted for the wholesale price moment to moment they could see themselves on the hook for utility payments that will follow them to their grave. 

Why waste a good storm on cheap rates when ERCOT has to pay the lawsuits for the dead?

There needs to be a federal investigation into the state, ERCOT and their relationship to consumers. Before this storm there were some federal regulations that would apply like requesting ERCOT to maximize its output. Both Texas and the US Department of Energy asked ERCOT to maximize its output but with the infrastructure collapse there was no capacity to increase.

There is a lot wrong with this paradigm and it is not beneficial to Texans. Playing Russian Roulette with a Texan’s utility bill is a horrible policy, especially when the state government doesn’t even see this coming to warn consumers. Texas needs to formally recognize the climate crisis and prepare its infrastructure accordingly.

Livestock Pavilion

It is a little late in the game but better late than never. 

Livestock pavilions with a base for them to stand on will give them a slight advantage in strong winds. Standing on the pavilion will keep it from blowing away.

I was in northwest Michigan when the Arctic came during the winter of 2012-2013. It was cold and snowy beyond any winter before. My Jeep earned a place of honor that winter. It would crank up and roll through 3 feet of snow like it wasn’t even there.

It was bitter cold from end of December 2012 thru the second week of March. There was nothing but clouds for the entire time with an occasional blue patch to let you know there really was a sky up there. There was 220 inches of snow that fell and it was a constant chore to keep from being snowed in without access to the road.

I had a carport that was big enough to keep most of the snow from falling under the roof. I was volunteering at an art house that year and every show that was shown had a fresh batch of popcorn. It only makes sense that no one would buy hours old popcorn. So before the beginning of the next show the old popcorn was bagged to discard it. By the end of the evening there were several large bags of popcorn headed for the trash. So, instead I would put that popcorn in the Jeep to take it home.

Popcorn with butter was a perfect winter food for the wildlife. Lots of carbs in the popcorn and fat in the butter. All that equaled calories to burn for body heat. The problem was how to get the wildlife a reliable place to eat. Into the story comes the carport. I would leave the Jeep half out of the carport and use the front half to dump the popcorn. They found it and made it through a winter that would freeze a Wooly Mammoth.

Beef cows can grow a good coat given half a chance. But, it is the wind that will take their body heat. If they had a shelter near food and water they would probably figure out a way to huddle together to keep warm. Now, Texas ranchers know their livestock better than I, but, if they had some kind of wind break it would provide a better chance to them.

This entry is not to discourage anyone from vaccination.

I had my first dose of “Moderna” vaccine. I had no adverse reaction.

I did have a reaction to it about an hour after the injection. I felt fatigue in the way of needing rest. I think I dropped my blood pressure because immediately my heart started pounding in my chest. That pounding lasted 15 minutes. I had no chest pain. My heart never missed a beat. 

I think the body’s reaction to an mRNA vaccine is a brief sense of shock. The mRNA is a foreign body entering the body and ultimately the blood stream. Like, getting an infusion of the wrong blood type only far, far less severe. The human body can only react so many ways to day to day life and in this case a vaccine against a deadly virus. 

I never was worried that it was harming me. I recognized that my body was taking appropriate measures to identify and counter a strange substance that shouldn’t be there. No injection site inflammation or anything like that. Just a brief episode of what I believe was mild shock.

I am among the current population prioritized to receive the Moderna shot. I feel lucky today and know after six weeks from today and a second shot I will have achieved 95 percent immunity from SARS-CoV-2. 

If Ted Cruz is ever elected again...

 ...Texans should be ashamed of themselves. He went on a planned vacation when Texas has the worst catastrophe of it’s history.

President Biden is more worried about Texas than the state’s own Senator.

New Zealand built the three turbines that powers the USA station as well as the New Zealand station.

Ross Island, Antarctica

People paid for seating. There was a bidding war.

A spot on the Atlantic City Boardwalk (click here) where movie stars, athletes and rock stars used to party — and a future president honed his instincts for bravado and hype — was reduced to a smoking pile of rubble shortly after 9 a.m. Wednesday.

 

COVID-19

Global Confirmed Cases - 109,217,366 (click here)

Global Deaths - 2,413,912

Globally, about 2.2 percent of all confirmed cases die. The Americas are still leading the world in cases and deaths.

USA confirmed cases - 27,433,718

USA deaths - 482,989

The USA survival rate is lower than the global rate at 1.8 percent of all cases end in death. The USA still leads the world in cases at 25 percent of all cases.

The good news is globally the confirmed cases are trending DOWN.

Sorry, but, I really think it is the "Joe" factor. He is taking it seriously. The USA matters. Vaccines are a part of this, but, we are still at about 12 percent vaccinated in the USA. The trend started down in January.

...As of 6 a.m. EST Feb. 16, (click here) a total of 71,657,975 vaccine doses had been distributed in the U.S., and 55,220,364 had been administered, or 77.06 percent. Additionally, 39,670,551 people had received one or more doses of the vaccine, and 15,015,434 had received the full two doses. That means about 12 percent of the U.S. population had received at least one dose of the vaccine, and about 4.5 percent had been fully vaccinated....

The spikes are the concerning part. They were targeted by the vaccines. If the variants are losing their spikes, it is a problem.

February 17, 2021

Scientists have identified another new variant of coronavirus in the UK (click here) with some potentially troubling mutations.

B.1.525 appears similar to the South African variant which prompted door-to-door tests in areas where it has been found.

Researchers from Edinburgh University have found 38 cases so far - 2 in Wales and 36 in England - in samples dating back to December.

It has been seen in other countries, including Denmark, Nigeria and the US.

UK experts are studying it to understand what risk it poses.

It is too soon to say if it should be added to the UK's list of "variants of concern" and whether mass testing for it should happen. So, for now, it is a "variant under investigation"....

January 28, 2021

...After injection, (click here) the vaccine particles come into contact with immune system cells and deliver the mRNA message: you need to make this spike protein, and here’s how. As the vaccinated cells start churning out the spike protein, other immune system cells realize that the protein should not be there. That’s when the battle begins.

“The immune system starts building an immune response and making antibodies,” says Aisha Langford, PhD, MPH, assistant professor in NYU Langone’s Department of Population Health. “And that’s how we train the immune system to recognize the spike protein, and that’s what protects us from being infected.”

Your body continues to produce antibodies until all the spike proteins have been destroyed. At the end of this natural immune process, your immune system has the knowledge it needs to recognize the spike protein and fend off future exposure to the virus. So if the virus enters the body, the immune system will identify and attack it....

Stop blaming wind turbines for Texas' problems.

Left is the current temperature map for the USA.

Wind Turbines have no problem operating in Antarctica. The petroleum industry thinks they own the planet. Wrong! If it weren't so tragic it would be laughable.

YOU DON'T LISTEN!

This didn't have to happen!

February 16, 2021

Gas production (click here) in the US south central region is down by about 6.3 Bcf/d (178mn m³/d) because of wellhead freeze-offs and natural gas processing plant outages caused by extreme cold, according to the US Energy Department. These outages represent about 30pc of output in the region and about 7pc of total US production.

Gas suppliers are responding to high demand and lost output by withdrawing gas from storage. Storage withdrawals in the region are up by 10 Bcf/d compared with withdrawals made before the storm hit, the department said.

Natural gas supply outages are leaving "energy-rich Texas facing rolling blackouts," analysts with investment firm Tudor Pickering Holt said today....

Be prepared to fix the leaks when it thaws. There is also the danger of potentially larger leaks that cause explode, too. Cities and towns need to close their gas pipelines until the system is checked mile by mile to be sure there aren't going to be exploding streets and houses.

February 17, 2021

Natural gas wells (click here) and pipes ill-equipped for cold weather are a big reason why millions of Texans lost power during frigid temperatures this week. As temperatures dropped to record lows across some parts of the state, liquid inside wells, pipes, and valves froze solid.

Ice can block gas flow, clogging pipes. It’s a phenomenon called a “freeze-off” that disrupts gas production across the US every winter. But freeze-offs can have outsized effects in Texas, as we’ve seen this week. The state is a huge natural gas producer — and it doesn’t usually have to deal with such cold weather....

Texans facing hopelessness.

...need to go south to Mexico until the weather breaks. I cannot believe a Texas mayor is saying only the strong will survive. Why isn’t Abbott calling the National Guard to build heated shelters?

There is a highway that goes through Mexico to Belize. Don’t go to Guatemala.

I think the exchange rate for the US dollar in Belize is 1 to 2.

It is the Pan-American Highway System. BUT, don’t stay on it otherwise it will end in Panama. But, there is a highway that will leave the main highway to travel to Belize. In a climate emergency like this a USA drivers’ license will serve to prove ID. The Mexican authorities should understand the issue. Belize can be strict about border crossing but they will understand life and death. Belize doesn’t want drug traffic.

Censured?

The GOP is afraid of the truth.

The new Republican Party has a good start to find their members, look for the ones with a gag order.

So much for the First Amendment which Trump declared as a defense to his leadership of the insurrection.

This was posted by an online friend in Texas.

He stated it felt like an invasion. The unkind Empire was taking down any form of comfort. The evil empire sent their Imperial Walkers to take down the electrical infrastructure.

Keep breathing.

These guys are ready for hurricanes, but, Arctic hurricanes are alien to them. Best advise to any emergency service is SNOWSUITS! Snowmobile suits are really excellent ways to tough it out.

Snowsuits or really warm clothing allow people to move around and build up body heat. A warm family can make that walk to the warming centers. 

This is a horrible thought but be prepared to look for people in vehicles. If they are using their car then they MUST keep the tailpipe clear and the underside of it as well. Snow is an insulator and can trap carbon monoxide in and around the vehicle.

Where the are no snowplows, road graders and backhoe tractors will do. 

Cold weather does not eliminate the threat of the SARS-CoV-2, it may preserve it in ice. Sorry. Better to be safe than sorry. Masks underneath scarfs. Masks are no replacement for warm face wear.

Sunlight and UV will return when the clouds clear out.

There are going to be deaths in the southern states.

The National Guard should be ready to go house to house. There needs to be heating shelters for every 500 to 1000 people.

Tornadoes?

That is a no brainer. Arctic air meets very warm ocean.

I would like to bring attention to the wayward Mitch McConnell.

For two or more decades Mitch McConnell has a seat for Kentucky in the US Senate. In earlier years he could be considered a moderate. He even voted for campaign finance reform until the Robert’s Court overturned it. In recent years he has voted against the good conscience of the American people including obstruction of bills that would return law and order to The Voting Rights Act (VRA) that today is named after the Late John Lewis. It was more than awkward to listen to McConnell speak about the great John Lewis after his passing only to realize McConnell obstructed the very bill named after him.

It is troubling to realize Mitch McConnell has become a turncoat in his seat of power.

John Lewis is one of the reasons there was a VRA after the violence at the Edmund Pettus Bridge that shocked and appalled the country. Then to realize after the Shelby decision to remove preclearance the court itself was repulsed by the blatant racism in North Carolina with a state law the Court found that targeted African-Americans with “almost surgical precision.” Even after the Court found the North Carolina law unconstitutional McConnell still obstructed the bill with the senior Democratic leader’s name on it. The bill needs to be returned to the US House floor to be voted into law. It should be passed with great pageantry in celebration of the Late John Lewis and then passed in the US Senate as well and with only a 51 vote majority that ensures African- Americans and all minorities have an economic basis to their equality.

But as to Mitch McConnell, unless he finds Jesus and reforms entirely he will remain a turncoat to this country. First he denied Merrick Garland a fair hearing to replace the Late Judge Scalia and it looks as though he might try again when the retired Judge Garland is seeking to be placed as the next USA Attorney General. Then when Justice Ginsberg passed, McConnell did an about face to place a very controversial woman with few years in the federal system on the high court in complete disregard of impending elections.

Yes, McConnell is a turncoat seeking power for his own purposes rather than governance of a great nation with equal treatment of all people. 

This time McConnell once again turned his back on the country in stating the US House had proven the article of impeachment to be true, but, also stated a private citizen could not be convicted of impeachment to remove his power to run again for political office, hence, refusing to protect the USA Constitution from a potential insurrectionist president taking office again. 

Mitch McConnell cannot be trusted with this democracy. He doesn’t value it as the people do. He values the power of this great country to use for his own self-aggrandizement. The US Senate with its slim majority must move mountains in the next four years to return the power to the people and protect beyond protection of our incredible Constitution written so many years ago but yet still standing. 

I don’t trust Mitch McConnell to walk a rescue dog, yet alone protect the USA Constitution. I look forward to supporting our two new Georgia Senators and bringing about the laws they were elected to provide. The return of the ACA is a good beginning.

A turncoat. He didn’t used to be.

Speaker Pelosi is correct.

A commission to investigate the insurrection of January 6, 2021 is in order. Absolutely. While the US House Managers did excellent work in assembling the guilt of Donald John Trump, it is only one piece of that day and all that lead up to it. The January 6th Commission can have subpoena powers to bring all the information into one library of information, including any appropriate information from the private sector. Included should be the knowledge of those that participated that day under the alternate reality Trump created.

There was a very upsetting event today in Washington, DC that relates to the persistent falsehoods that exist even after so many have been arrested for crimes of January 6th and Trump was impeached. A woman had a loaded gun at the sidewalk where the White House could be seen with some effort at the front lawn. Upon questioning she stated she came to assassinate President Biden.

This is the kind of permission given to people full of hate while Trump went without conviction of the articles of impeachment. These people along with their propaganda networks perhaps didn’t under Minority leader McConnell when I he stated the US House Managers clearly made their case about Trump’s incitement to insurrection. McConnell in his backward excuse for the former president believed a private citizen could not be convicted with articles of impeachment.

So, it is up to the US House to form a commission to investigate the insurrection, subpoena those that need to be compelled to give testimony, including private citizen Trump ands document everything. Then make it public. The commission should include testimony from donors that supported the insurrection and the facts about the role Putin and Russia played in the insurrection.

Leave no stone unturned. 

There are to be more arrests out of Michigan for citizens’ actions during the insurrection. It was in the news today. 

"Morning Papers"

The Rooster

"Okeydoke"

No joke, promise kept.

February 15, 2021
By Tami Luhby

Uninsured Americans (click here) who want to buy Affordable Care Act coverage have another three months to do so, thanks to an executive order President Joe Biden signed last month.

The federal Obamacare exchange, healthcare.gov, reopened Monday for a special enrollment period that runs until May 15. Most states that operate their own marketplaces are also doing the same or are extending their sign-up season for several more weeks.

The President is hoping that some of the 15 million uninsured people eligible for Affordable Care Act policies -- 9 million of whom qualify for federal financial assistance -- will participate. Individuals making up to about $51,000 and families of four earning up to about $104,800 are eligible for subsidies.

"Good Night, Moon"

The waxing crescent

3.3 days old

11.6 lit

February 8, 2021

...When the mission (click here) returned to Earth, NASA stated, the seeds were germinated and grew into what were referred to as, “Moon Trees,” which can be found around the U.S. and the world.

NASA cites acting NASA Chief Historian Brian Odom, who said in the statement: “The historic voyages of the Apollo program were about bold exploration and incredible scientific discovery.” He added, “Apollo 14 included the widest range of scientific experiments to that point in the program, but in the case of Roosa’s ‘Moon Trees,’ it was what the astronauts took with them on their lunar journey that has left such an indelible mark on the landscape back on Earth.”...

A sycamore Moon Tree planted at Mississippi State University in 1975 is the parent tree to many second-generation trees called Half-Moon Trees.

There is a limit on time in order to prevent a climate disaster.

Ross Ice Shelf (click here) melting as it never has before (picture to left.

The Earth is showing signs of atmospheric mixing. Until recent years the idea of water vapor in any amount in the lower stratosphere going up was irrelevant. Now, with an increase in water vapor into the stratosphere there is a concern for the origins and what we can expect in the future.

We know that water vapor in the stratosphere increases the break down of O3, ozone. NASA is probably the best agency to plunder for information. They monitor the different atmospheres and have for a long time. They have historic data that can act as a baseline to better understand the changing stratosphere in both oxygen and water vapor transported through the tropopause and into the lower stratosphere.

Across the journal articles and scientific letters, there is a concern mostly for the lower stratosphere. That to me is where the water vapor is transported from the troposphere. Now, what is occurring in the troposphere that can actually cause these increasing amounts of water vapor in the lower stratosphere?

If one looks at the date whereby C-zero was discovered to be moving in the opposite direction, the two high altitude tropospheric vortexes and now the beginning of the increase in water vapor in the lower stratosphere the picture of the climate crisis takes shape.

There was something drastic that happened in 2002. The ice rivers leading into the Ross Ice Shelf shrank drastically. The emergence of vortexes in the North Atlantic and North Pacific was manifested due to the rising temperatures in Earth's troposphere. Upt to that point the warming of Earth was linear. It was on a path of 100 years before these drastically dangerous conditions would exist. The vortexes of 2002 would multiple to seven and eventually reach a maximum with the diameter from the equator to the arctic circle.

Now, with a growing concern for increasing water vapor in the lower stratosphere which would imperil the ozone layer, the year 2002 shows there is another structural problem with the climate crisis. I am convinced in 2002 there was a tipping point which we have not recovered from. It seems plainly obvious to me the water vapor collecting in the stratosphere is due to mixing when the polar vortex collapses and opportunity at the ozone hole in Antarctica with it's own polar vortex. 

The illustration to the right shows the size of the Ross Ice Shelf. The polluting greenhouse gases must stop into the troposphere, the price is too high for such flagrant disregard of human life.

He has at least two numbers right, 51 billion tons and 0 greenhouse gas emissions

February 14, 2021
By Kerry A. Dolan

Bill Gates wants you to know two numbers: 51 billion and zero. (click here) The former is the number of tons of greenhouse gases typically added to the atmosphere each year as a result of human activities. The latter is the number of tons we need to get to by 2050 in order to avert a climate crisis.

Gates has a plan for how to go from 51 billion to zero, and he’s happy to say it doesn’t come with a price tag in the trillions of dollars. As you might expect from a guy who made his fortune in technology, the billionaire’s suggested solution is tied in large part to innovation.

He spells out his plan in a new book, How To Avoid A Climate Disaster: The Solutions We Have And The Breakthroughs We Need, to be released on February 16. Ahead of the book launch, Gates talked to Forbes about why he wrote the book. He also shared details the book doesn’t get into, including how much he’s invested in zero-carbon companies, which ones he’s most excited about, including a new kind of nuclear power plant, and what he’s likely to invest in next.

Goal number one of the book, says Gates, is to clearly lay out which sectors of the economy are producing the 51 billion tons of greenhouse gases the world typically adds to the atmosphere each year. “The actual numeric framework, which is the most basic thing for any problem you want to tackle...that’s really been missing,” Gates says in a video interview from a conference room in his offices in Seattle. (See table for the percentage breakdown.) The goal we as a planet need to aim for: zero emissions by 2050. Gates is optimistic that as hard as it sounds, we can get there....