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With power outages in California and Texas still fresh in our memories and ( new ) Biden Administration regulations and lease restrictions now  resulting in deceased domestic oil and gas production ( -compounded by the dwindling number of coal-burning and nuclear power plants and the increased demands being put upon them ), the nation's power grid  is teetering at the edge of shutdown. Is your utility, co-op ( or ) electric company prepared for when the nation's "grid" goes down?  

To become energy independent, communities must develop local sources of energy ( -to make their communities less dependent upon the national grid ). Local "alternative" sources of energy may include: closed-loop hydroelectric, solar, wind ( or ) methane ( -depending upon which resources you have more of in your area ). Take an inventory and decide which of these sources makes the most sense in your area.

Towns blessed with water towers have a special advantage. They have the two prime components needed to generate their own electricity:  

HEIGHT + WATER = "HEAD" ( -or electric generation capacity ). By adding turbines and return pumps at their tower's bases these towns could be generating, storing and utilizing their own "home-grown" electricity both for emergency backup and as a way to lower local consumer's utility rates. This type of system is known as a "closed-loop hydroelectric"  system. It's "dual use" economy is a good example of smart "off-the-grid" energy independence. 

However, these systems cost LOTS of money. They will require funding, research, development and time to construct. They're something to start planning today  for TOMORROW. *NOTE:  Check out the "Lebanon Water Tower Hydro Project" ( -below ) for info on an newly proposed project

that could bring hydro-electric independence to Laclede County.

However, In the near term ( i.e: this winter and until one of these "local off-grid" systems can be built ), more affordable, readily available emergency backup power solutions will be needed.  

Below are some "stop-gap" energy systems that could help save lives in your community this winter ( -until your utility or power company can construct one of the "local off-grid" systems mentioned  above ).

You might consider offering your customers the option of leasing

( or ) "renting to own" one of the systems below at nominal cost.    

These systems will provide the basic needs of heat and ( -in the case    of the solar power systems shown below ), running a few critical home appliances. Keeping people and their homes warm enough ( -so that water pipes don't burst ) are the main objectives here.  

A less costly solution is the Mr. Heater Vent-Free ( 30,000 BTU ) Natural Gas ( or ) Propane Blue Flame Heater ( -below ). While not perfect, this unit has received good reviews and should be capable of heating up to 1,000 sq. ft. homes ( -depending upon the model selected ). As with all natural gas and propane systems carbon monoxide poisoning, oxygen depletion ( -asphyxiation ) and the potential for explosions and fire exists. However, with due care and with proper ventilation these

units could save lives should the "grid" go down this winter. 

As an energy provider your prime directive is keeping your customers safe, warm and alive this winter. If your utility or electric company hasn't yet crafted a "contingency plan" ( -that includes an "off-grid" source of energy that's ready to go ) should the "grid" go down -you'll need some "stop-gap" solutions ( -like the ones above ) to offer your customers. 

You hear about it every winter. Desperate people doing desperate things to keep warm every winter. People unfamiliar with propane, natural gas and kerosene improperly connecting or running their devices. The result? Explosions, fires, burns, carbon monoxide poisonings, asphyxiation. Sometimes entire families. All needless...

Offer your customers the opportunity to affordably rent or "rent to own" one of the emergency heat ( or ) solar power systems described above    ( -along with an installation, connection and yearly maintainance plan worked out between your utility and the solar, propane or natural gas providers in your area ) as an affordable option on their bill. The object here is to fulfill your prime directive as an energy provider and provide safe, affordable power to the customers -NOT  to use the winter's cold  as a gimmick to "nickel and dime" customers for extra profit. People      are hurting enough as it is... 

That's what an irresponsible energy provider might tell you. Hopefully,

yours' isn't one of those! Conscientious providers know that it's not that easy. Some propane suppliers have become mercenary ( -refusing to even deal with new customers or small orders ). Others have added a plethora of "mickey mouse" add-on charges to "nickel and dime" customers in order to increase their profits.

Going up against these predatory forces by themselves can be rough on families "going it alone". They need an "advocate" ( -to ensure they receive quality service at affordable rates ). Your Utility Board, Mayor and City Council can "have their back" by being their advocate!

By reaching out to reputable propane and solar contractors in your area, your Utility Board can connect customer's with the emergency energy solutions they need ( -along with the safe, reliable and afford-able products, installation and periodic maintainance they'll need ). These vetted providers would realize significant upticks in business while your customers would receive quality service for their emergency energy needs. Such "Energy Pact"s would be a "win-win" for all involved!

Any visitor to Lebanon, Missouri will quickly notice the numerous water towers throughout this town. Apart from supplying the town's water they could  be serving a secondary use: namely generating hydro-electric power for the town. This reserve energy could become vital should

the nation's grid "go down" during a cold winter ( or ) EMP attack. 

And this idea isn't as far-fetched as you might think! You can locate complete engineering details and the necessary physics calculations required to turn abandoned water towers into hydro-electric generating facilities right online. One such article is: "Retrofitting Water Towers For Hydroelectric Power Generation" which you can peruse by following this link:  https://researchgate.net/publication/338122201_Retrofitting_Water_Towers_For_Hydroelectric_Power_Generation

By reaching out to a local technical college ( -Ozark Technical Comm-unity College for example ), Lebanon's Utility Board and Laclede Electric could combine resources to build a 1/10th scale model as a "proof of  concept" project ( -and using lessons learned from that experience ), apply the knowledge to converting one or more of Lebanon's water towers over to "dual-use" hydroelectric power tower( s ).

The "Lebanon Water Tower Hydro Project" would provide the technical college ( -and it's students ) with the opportunity to apply their class-room lessons to real world engineering problems while benefitting the community they live in!  Seeing the physics, math and engineering principles they've learned turned into a real, working model would

be a great learning experience!

For more ideas on how the City of Lebanon ( -and Laclede County ) could forge a prosperous future for it's residents -check out these ideas by Tomm Buzzetta ( -an area resident ).  

FOR  EXAMPLE: 

The "Lebanon Area Cinematic Arts Complex" ( LACAC ).

With a population of over ( 15,000 ) it's surprising that Lebanon, Missouri doesn't have it's own TV-Station. Most folks tune into KY3 (  Springfield ) to get their TV news, weather and entertainment. What a shame! 

Check out our "Ozarks Down Channel" webpage ( -see below ):

"Ozarks Down Channel"  Do you like it's slate of programming? Drop  us a line. Let us know. Here's our contact page:  Contact Page . If there are any venture capitalists ( or ) media companies out there who'd like to serve the growing Lebanon market ( -and work with us to get our slate of programming onto Lebanon's own TV-Station -drop us a line! ).

Lebanon's people, places, businesses and attractions featured in a movie. A great way to let people nationwide ( -and worldwide ) know about our town! Check out our "Ozarks Down" webpage ( -below )

for details:  "Ozarks Down" Movie