Hedging One’s Home Energy Bets Will the concept of hybrid cars, powered by dual energy sources, give rise to “hybrid homes?” In a sense, modern homes already are hybrids — at least by one definition. So, at least in the Twin Cities, it’s typical for the appliances and central air to be powered by electricity, while...Read More
Days Without Power: 4 (& Counting) With my South Minneapolis neighborhood still without power four days after Friday’s storm, some rather novel “post-storm etiquette” issues have arisen. Like, “if you can get your hands on a (very noisy) generator, do you use it even if the overnight temps are cool and it’s going to keep your...Read More
Put the Twin Cities in the 2/3 of the country NOT affected by Sandy. Directly, that is. With all air travel to the East Coast cancelled, financial markets closed, and all manner of media focused on the storm, its centripetal pull easily reaches this far (and beyond). Thanks to the Internet and social media, those...Read More
Not So Xcellent No, this isn’t a post about how ordinary citizens no longer control this country’s financial laws, or economic policy generally. It’s about literally being without power in Minneapolis. From 9 a.m. Saturday morning until 6 p.m. Sunday night. With my in-laws staying with us. Just a Minute. Not. For non-Minnesotans reading this...Read More
