3. Move to Underground Lines Mark noted this is happening in Europe. It's finally reached the US (and is a large part of the business I do). Underground cables, even over large distances (hundreds of miles) are now more economically feasible than overhead lines. They are easier to permit, and once installed require far less maintenance. They allow the use of HVDC technology to transmit power over long distances using DC current to avoid large transmission losses.
A diversified, connected, smart grid is the answer to cheap US power.
I converted from overhead 100 amp service to 200 amp underground service on a home I own in SW KS. At the time the POCO did not believe there was adequate strength in the external walls to support the weight of the wires the 200 amp overhead service required, so I bit the bullet and went underground at great expense to myself. I am not dissatisfied with the results, just the cost. I did notice that the POCO, which supplied the wire for the connect, required wiring from the meter to the house 2 gauge sizes larger than they would have spec'd for overhead service. When I asked, they said that the underground service would not receive the cooling effect from the air that the overhead service would, so larger wires were required.
Again, the POCO supplied the wire, so I am not unhappy with the larger gauge requirement...just found it interesting. If we are discussing changing our entire distribution grid to underground I could see a great benefit, but also a great cost...that large gauge wire from the meter to my distribution box had to be expensive, I can't imagine what the wires for underground large-distance distribution would cost...and, of course, with the utilities guaranteed a profitable rate by the regulating authorities, we customers will get to bear the cost in increased rates.
My home near Houston, TX has underground utilities, not an overhead wire in the entire subdivision. When Hurricane Ike roared through a few years ago we were one of the first to have electrical service restored...the other subdivisions went weeks without service as all those downed trees that took down lines had to be cleared and the lines rehung.
I am a big proponent of underground service now....the ice in my freezer never melted before the power was on, those in subdivisions with overhead service lost the entire contents of their freezers unless they had their own generator.
I have a pipe-dream of living off the grid...don't use much electricity, myself, and believe I could achieve that self-sufficiency with a couple of vertical axis wind generators and a decent battery pack. The accepted best use for solar seems to be hot-water...for now. Once PV's become more effective and less expensive, they may make greater inroads.
I have no problems with nuclear....or natural gas. Coal...that's another issue for me...I know they are requiring scrubbers on the smokestacks, I just can't imagine it can be all that clean. Kansas has had huge lawsuits over the permitting of coal-fired generation stations.
Cheers!
Doug