JohnDar
Prolifically Gabby Member
Michigan and much of the Midwest is in the grip of a deep freeze. Unfortunately, one of the main compression plants for the state's natural gas supplier had a fire that caused it to shutdown on Wednesday night. The power company could still supply gas, but the high demand would outstrip their reserve supply. So they asked everyone in the state at 10:30 pm to turn down their thermostats to 65 or lower until later today. Even the governor posted an appeal. Keep in mind, the air temps were below 0 and the wind chills in the -30+ range. So, like a nice guy, I dropped ours down. It's chilly in here, but bearable. Sweatshirts, extra blanket on the bed and we were fine. Last report a little while ago was that the voluntary reduction in demand by homes and businesses across the area saved the day and everyone continued to have natural gas to their homes. Many large plants actually reduced or shut down production to reduce their demand.
What was amusing, however, was the howling and complaining that ensued on Facebook. You'd think they were being told to turn off their furnaces completely and stand outside. Without the reduction by all, that could well have occurred by the gas company not pumping anything. Cries of "why me, I pay my bill," accusations of price gouging, profiteering, etc., with no basis in fact, since the power companies prices are regulated by the state. To listen to it all makes me wonder what these babies would do in an actual emergency/disaster. Probably all run for a bottle of Jimmy Jones Kool-Aid.
Today is supposed to reach a balmy 15 degrees. By Monday, they're forecasting 50 with rain, then the bottom falls out again. Gotta love Michigan...we have seasons. And we're getting new windows installed in April (would've helped now
).
What was amusing, however, was the howling and complaining that ensued on Facebook. You'd think they were being told to turn off their furnaces completely and stand outside. Without the reduction by all, that could well have occurred by the gas company not pumping anything. Cries of "why me, I pay my bill," accusations of price gouging, profiteering, etc., with no basis in fact, since the power companies prices are regulated by the state. To listen to it all makes me wonder what these babies would do in an actual emergency/disaster. Probably all run for a bottle of Jimmy Jones Kool-Aid.
Today is supposed to reach a balmy 15 degrees. By Monday, they're forecasting 50 with rain, then the bottom falls out again. Gotta love Michigan...we have seasons. And we're getting new windows installed in April (would've helped now
).
