In the United States the electrical grid is privately owned, not by individuals but by corporations. Is this a problem?

After watching the presidential debate, it is clear that if we want a thriving American economy, it is up to the people to understand our American system regarding finance, utilities (water and electricity), agriculture, medicine, education, and more. Today, I will focus on climate change and our environment.

Trump noted that under his administration, we had the cleanest environment. He must have never been to Flint, Michigan, or even Linden, PA, where the water is so contaminated you don't need a microscope to see that it is full of smelly, hard, heavy chemicals and metals. They also forgot to mention our high electricity bills here in the Northeast, where we average some of the highest bills in the country.

Today, I want to talk about what Trump and Biden forgot to address. But it’s alright; I understand that they have different intentions for our beautiful, diverse American people. We can build a new energy infrastructure, creating millions of jobs in the process while mitigating harmful emissions and building something that can last generations without any negative effects on people's health and the environment. Additionally, this will reduce our dependency on private equity-backed utility companies.

You may be asking, "if is not government funded or owned, how will such project come to fruition?" Just stay tune we'll touch on that here soon.

In the words of Hari Haran, "As the global community grapples with the impacts of climate change, pollution, and depletion of natural resources, the need for sustainable living has reached a critical juncture. The 'Go Green' movement offers a pathway towards a more harmonious coexistence between humans and the planet. By adopting eco-friendly practices and making conscious choices, we can collectively build a greener, healthier, and more sustainable future."

This brings me to the global race for cleaner electrification.

Nations are racing to transition to a renewable clean energy grid for several compelling reasons:

1.)Environmental Concerns: Renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, hydroelectric, and geothermal power produce electricity with significantly lower greenhouse gas emissions. This shift is crucial in mitigating climate change and reducing overall environmental impact.

2.)Energy Security: Relying on renewable energy reduces dependence on imported fossil fuels, enhancing energy security and reducing vulnerability to geopolitical tensions and supply disruptions.

3.)Economic Opportunities: Investing in renewable energy infrastructure creates jobs across various sectors, including manufacturing, installation, and maintenance.

4.)Health Benefits: Cleaner air, cleaner water, cleaner you!

5.)Technological Advancements: The renewable energy sector drives innovation in energy storage, grid management, and efficiency technologies. These advancements improve the reliability and cost-effectiveness of renewable energy sources, making them increasingly competitive with traditional energy sources.

6.)Global Leadership: Nations recognize the importance of leading the global transition towards sustainable energy practices. By investing in renewable energy, countries can demonstrate leadership in combating climate change and setting international standards for environmental stewardship.

7.)Long-term Sustainability: Renewable energy sources are inherently sustainable because they rely on naturally replenishing resources. This ensures a stable and secure energy supply for future generations without depleting finite resources or causing environmental harm.

Electrification and clean energy are fundamental to modern society, driving development, sustainability, security, and equity. For nations, achieving widespread electrification with clean energy is crucial for a prosperous and sustainable future.

This brings me to the topic of our own energy grids here in America and in Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania, rich in both history and natural resources, is becoming a beacon of transformation in the renewable energy sector. As one of the top energy-producing states in the U.S., Pennsylvania has a significant role to play in the nation's energy future.

Given that the average Pennsylvania resident spends around $213 per month on electricity (as of March 2024), any reduction in energy costs would provide considerable relief for households across the state.

The shift towards renewable energy promises a positive impact on these electric bills. Renewable sources like wind and solar power are becoming more cost-effective, primarily due to technological advancements and economies of scale. By increasing the share of renewable energy in the state's energy mix, Pennsylvania can gradually reduce electricity costs for consumers, leading to savings on electric bills in the long term.

Moreover, the adoption of renewable energy sources like solar power at the individual level can also lead to direct savings. Households with solar panels, for instance, can generate their own electricity and even sell surplus power back to the grid, effectively reducing or even eliminating their electric bills.

This movement towards using renewable clean energy will incentivize the production of new energy infrastructure such as microgrids.

Why Microgrids?

Microgrids offer a range of benefits, including improved reliability, increased resilience, enhanced energy efficiency, integration of renewable energy sources, and the ability to operate autonomously.

A prime example is Hurricane Maria, which devastated Puerto Rico in 2017. The hurricane caused the longest blackout in U.S. history, taking 328 days to restore power to all customers.

The need for a more resilient, inclusive, and overall efficient energy grid is clear. This brings me to the grassroots movement that built Puerto Rico’s first community-owned microgrid.

A Community-Owned Solution

Spread across the roofs of seven buildings in the town of Adjuntas, the island’s first community-owned solar microgrid will be able to power businesses that provide essential services for the community: a pharmacy, a hardware store, a bakery, and Irizarry’s pizza shop, among others.

The Community Solar Energy Association of Adjuntas is now a registered non-profit with a leadership team of ten local business owners. These business owners represent the 17 businesses that will be powered by the microgrid. Together, they have been working to create a community that is more energy-conscious and focused on the resiliency of Adjuntas.

This is a prime example of energy security: relying on renewable energy reduces dependence on imported fossil fuels, enhancing energy security and reducing vulnerability to geopolitical tensions and supply disruptions.

This brings me to Pennsylvania. I know Pennsylvania is big on natural gas, but an opportunity that we have here that we do not in the natural gas space is to be completely community-built, maintained, and owned. Maybe start somewhere small like a microgrid for our hospitals where clean, undisrupted electricity is needed, and then slowly expand.

Bitcoin Mining and Microgrid Infrastructure:

Bitcoin mining can play a significant role in building and financing microgrid infrastructure in Pennsylvania. Here's how:

1.) Utilization of Stranded Renewable Energy: Bitcoin mining operations require substantial energy, making them suitable for areas with abundant but underutilized renewable energy sources like wind, solar, or hydroelectric power. In Pennsylvania, these mining operations can be set up in remote locations where renewable energy is plentiful but not fully utilized (precommercial operations), creating a market for this "stranded" energy. This can make renewable energy projects more economically viable and encourage further investment in clean energy infrastructure.

2.) Economic Incentives and Investment: The profitability of Bitcoin mining can provide the necessary capital to invest in microgrid infrastructure. Mining operations can generate significant revenue, which can be reinvested into building and maintaining microgrids. A prime example is in Texas. Analysis shows that Texas is the state with the highest potential, with 32 planned renewable projects that could generate combined profits of $47 million using Bitcoin mining during precommercial operations. This creates a financial incentive for both private and public stakeholders to develop resilient and independent energy systems.

3.) Job Creation and Local Development: The development of Bitcoin mining operations and microgrid infrastructure can create jobs in various sectors, including construction, engineering, maintenance, and IT. This economic activity can stimulate local economies in Pennsylvania, particularly in rural or underdeveloped areas, enhancing community resilience and promoting sustainable development.

El Conclusion

Bitcoin mining, when aligned with renewable energy initiatives, can provide a unique opportunity for Pennsylvania to build and finance microgrid infrastructure. By utilizing excess renewable energy, stabilizing the grid, and generating economic incentives, Bitcoin mining can contribute significantly to the development of resilient, sustainable, and independent energy systems across the state.

A prime example that -us oil fielders- can relate to, and maybe many oil field families, is the case of gas flaring. If the oilfield is located close to population centers, it might be economically feasible to build pipelines and transport the gas for usage as electricity or heating. But in many oil drilling locations, this is not the case. Or if they don't have a sufficient amount to sell commercially, the oil producer then chooses to dispatch the gas in the most cost-effective way, which is simply burning the gas in a process called gas flaring. Rather than flaring the gas, it can go into a generator to produce electricity and mine Bitcoin, creating a financial incentive while decreasing harmful emissions and using the profits of the excess energy to circulate back to its local community rather than just emitting greenhouse gases with no incentive or positive impact.

Now, if you were to ask Elk County in Northwestern PA, they will say no to this because they have already experienced Bitcoin mining in their community, and the noise for them was unbearable. So needless to say, there is always room for improvement.

And why we must ban together, to improve and ensure the changes we need to benefit us as a collective will happen.

This is just one of many ways we can make "America Great Again"