The was on the front page of the Gleaner yesterday and I found it to be very interesting. If you want to know why so many things are expensive here read the article.

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20110613/lead/lead1.html

thank you rebecca !!!The new JPS bill recieved today for the last 30 days-had a fuel charge from over 22,2 -the highest ever, the fuelcharge from august 2008 -and that was the time with the highest oilprice ever,was only 20.2-whats going on?how we can manage this,how we can survive the next season?who can pay this amount?and how long-?

I find the JPS' behaviour downright sinful. Seems to me the people are being kept hostage. Now I understand why we haven't made any attempt to come up with fuel alternatives. Why should they care if profits are guaranteed? I agree with the PM: NO NUCLEAR ENERGY. Lets use the wind, sun, hydro (no wisecracks here!), or sugarcane.

Is there a prominent citizen watch group looking out for the interest of the people? This is crazy y"all!

Where I live in the US, the deregulation of monopoly public utilities (electricity, natural gas, water, etc)was promised to improve competition and lower costs to consumers. It hasn't. Our electicity company is owned by a private British Corporation, our Garbage collection owned by a German Corporation, and even where it is still American companies, the costs have gone up. The solution isn't deregulation, but real regulation. Regulation means the government -- facing re-election -- has to control salaries, overhead, maintenance, and all other costs. There is little use for government if it can't provide the basic energy and other public utility necessities to the public in such as way as to benefit the public, not corporate shareholders. Beware red herrings and straw-man arguments. When government protects the profits of offshore corporations while its citizens go without the basics, its no government at all. That's what's so sad here, and apparently there, too.

Could someone, please explain Nuclear Energy. Thanks

watch and listen to what adijah palmer had to say about jps.

[The video in question has some lewd lyrics which are not appropriate for all of our readers. If you would like to see it, you can search for "Vybz Kartel JPS" on YouTube's site. -TBNet]

yeah he used a Jamaican bad word, so if you dont like hearing Jamaican bad words don't watch.

hahaha.

To concern: Nuclear energy originate from the spliting of uranium atoms in a process called fission. At the the power plant,the fission process is used to generate heat for producing steam which is used by a turbine to generate electricty.

The major difference between a fossil fuel power plant and a nuclear power plant is the method use to heat the water,and produce steam. In a nuclear power plant Uranium takes the place of COAL,OIL,or GAS, To be the fuel used to heat water to produce steam.

URANIUM is much cheaper than the other three mention fuel above, but it is also the most harmful and deadlest of metal to all living things including mankind. That is why its better to avoid its use.

To simplify the nuclear energy argument....

Roads have been around how long and look how the JA govt. handles, cares and builds and mantains them...

They went out on a limb and attempted a canal in TB and look how well thought out and executed that is going...

OK- so now they are even SUGGESTING they could manage a nuclear power plant...HELP US JAH

Nuclear energy originates from the spliting of uranium atoms in a process called fission. At the power plant the fission process is used to generate heat, for producing steam, which is used by a turbine to generate electricty.

The major difference between a fossil fuel power plant and a nuclear power plant is that uranium takes the place of coal,oil, or gas to be the fuel used to heat water and produce steam.

{edited by TBNET}

If things went so very wrong in Japan, imagine Jamaica operating a nuclear power plant safely. The only thing that might result from them even attempting to build such a plant is enough good jokes to make up for Donald Trump choosing not to run for president.

In addition to all the other problems they are having, Japan is now receiving almost no visitors. Tourism is essentially dead there. That's not what we need in Jamaica.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5is0nS4Lz07UX1gsW9oIqdQ15-0FQ? docId=CNG.7f55475450cb72752302481aad82821f.601
The number of visitors was estimated at 358,000, down 50.4 percent from May 2010, said the state-affiliated Japan National Tourism Organisation.

This news report puts Japan's visitor rate at half of what it was a year ago. While his is a significant number, its not accurate to say that tourism is dead there.

The issue I think is cronyism, graft, corruption, sloth, lack of vision, and plain don' careism. Jamaica was once on the cutting edge of development: so much so that a country like Singapore could have sent technocrats to learn from us. Where is Singapore today, and where is Ja? It makes me sad. What we need is accountability from top tom bottom.

GET THE FIRE-WOOD READY FOR THE RAINY SEASON.

OPEN ALL THE WINDOWS AND LET THE BREEZE IN....IF IT IS TOO HOT GET A GOOD STANDING FAN AND SLEEP WITH IT ON AT NIGHTS.

GO GET YOURSELF A BIG COOLER TO KEEP YOUR WATER AND DRINKS COLD.

I AM NOT TELLING PEOPLE TO GO BACK TO THE "OLD DAYS" I AM JUST TRYING TO HELP''' SUGGESTING WITH THESE IDEAS.

LET US THROW PRIDE OUT THE WINDOW AND PUT SURVIVAL MODE IN ACTION.

WE ALL GREW-UP WITHOUT THESE (ELECTRIC GAGETS)
AND WE ARE STILL HERE,S.........O WHAT IS THE BIG DEAL.

NO MONEY TO TURN ON THE LIGHT SWITCH....LIGHT A BATTERY LANTERN OR TWO.
NO MONEY TO TURN ON THE ELECTRIC STOVE....GET A GAS STOVE OR LIGHT SOME FIRE WOOD.
NO FRIGDE TO KEEP THE FOOD COLD.....TRUST ME GET A GOOD QUALITY COOLER AND YOUR ICE. YOU CAN SURVIVE.

MAKE DO WITH WHAT WE HAVE.I KNOW I COULD DO IT.

GOT BLESS,
LOVE YA ALL.

Our JPS bill was almost double the usual ripoff amount last month. For using the SAME amount of electric here in America, our bill would have been about 1/6 what we had to pay JPS meaning JPS charges 6 times for the same amount of current. We also lost service for 4 days because of a JPS outage. We already use solar for hot water. It would cost too much to put in a windmill and there is often not enough breeze to make it go. Our guests are very careful with their use of the current but they are going on a vacation and not on a camping trip so we must have a fridge and lights and fans. The economy is still bad and we can't raise our rates to cover the JPS bills. The situation is intolerable. We are not looking to make any big profit but we don't want to lose money because of JPS. I would ask for suggestions but I am looking for practical ideas not things like tell your guests to walk around in the dark or use a cooler instead of a fridge.

Villa Owner, we share your outrage and concerns. Our JPS bill for last month was the highest it has ever been. We have been using energy-efficient (fluorescent) light bulbs since they were available. We use solar to heat our hot water. Our A/C is used infrequently and then it is used only when guests are in their bedrooms with the louvers closed. We cook with gas. We, too, would appreciate useful suggestions.

I received an email from The Tourism Product Development Company a few days ago. They were conducting a survey to see what we in the tourism sector felt we needed to succeed. My number one request was for the Jamaica Tourist Board and all in the tourism sector to protest and lobby against these ridiculous rates. It is getting to the point of laying folks off just to be able to affort to pay the electric bill.

As Villa Owner said, due to the state of economy everyone is asking for discounts but with the rising electric bills we have very little to no room for negotiation.

I am hearing of the large establishments getting breaks but the small business, once again, are feeling all the pressure.

I'm assuming the TPDC is a private organization. What about the Ministry of Tourism and Development? The PSOJ, The Lions and Kiwanis Clubs, the Chamber of Commerce etc.Sems to me there should be a concerted effort to press JPS and the governing bodies to make changes.

Thanks "My Opinion" for the insightful comment re Nuclear Power. I don't know much, that's why I asked the question. Speaking of Singapore, but how about a place like Iran? And Treasure Beach, I like your suggestions. If I moved back to TB, I will go back to the basics. That's our survival kit.

Very good article in today's New York Times. It's called ‘Safety Myth’ Left Japan Ripe for Nuclear Crisis. Please read it if you think nuclear power might solve Jamaica's electricity problems becase it will scare you.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/25/world/asia/25myth.html?nl=todaysheadlines&emc= tha22

I hate JPS, but at least they won't blow up Jamaica.

Suggestions for any and all- use permaculture design methods.

Anyone thinking of building in Treasure Beach or anywhere for that matter will have a much more stable water supply, virtually free hot water (use a passive solar heater which can be made by any decent carpenter).

Use solar panels for lights and yes even fridge.

Cost for solar on new construction will pay for itself SO MUCH FASTER in JA where the only other option is JPS than even in the US. Costs for starting aren't presently too much more if using a local supplier vs.shipping it in from abroad on your own.

You may be correct with regard to new construction, especially upscale construction used for guest villas. Meanwhile, short of using no current, what do you suggest be done in all the existing structures?

Make sure you unplug all but your fridge and freezer when not in use.

Do all your ironing at one time- when buying school uniform cloth try to get the heavier less prone to wrinkling style as it saves ironing time which is a huge user of current.

Use locally available power surge "strips" on all outlets and plug into them as you will find your appliances won't be destroyed during the frequent surges and outages.

We have started to buy some stand alone lanterns for night lighting that can charge all day in the sun and run most of the night. Not so available in JA but can be purchased online.

The Engergizer brand has one for $30US that has performed great for us in TB last winter and throws off plenty of light for our outdoor showers.

For sure change all your bulbs in the house to the compact flourescents which most bigger supermarkets do now stock in JA. The heftier initial price is nothing compared to the current they save.

I don't think AC is a must in TB- so use of fans in place is a good idea.

If you need hot water research the many do it yourself passive solar heaters that you can have built by an able carpenter.

Most of us use gas stoves in TB which is thus far still affordable but our neighbors often run out of gas and can't afford more as I suggest to them- 3 rock stones and some firewood can cook as nice or nicer.

There is alot we can all do especially in a land where we have so much sun. Hopefully more and more affordable solar can come our way in Jamaica.

The less we can use JPS is probably better, they charge way too much, they are unreliable and we live in a place where given other technology we wouldn't need them at all.

Does anyone know how much it costs (labor and materials) to install solar panels to run a swimming pool pump. I would also like to know about how long it would take for the payback for doing this. Appreciate any help. Thanks.

Right now in America there are nuclear power plants that could be very dangerous due to flooding and fire. We probably don't have to worry about forest fires but we are kidding ourselves to ignore flooding and knowing Jamaica is subject to earthquakes. Nuclear plants come in and I move far away. Jamaica is too small for me to evacuate my home and I don't have the type of insurance that would allow me to rebuild in a totally different area of Jamaica where I wouldn't even want to live anyway.

Renewable Energy: Net Metering • Net Billing • Feed-In Tariffs • The Regulators (OUR) and JPS:

An Introduction to these principles under local conditions. Note the credentials of the commentator, Winston Hay, and any biases or fairness that may derive from these experiences:
Power sector planning and regulation consultant. He has formerly worked as director general of OUR, principal power engineer with the World Bank, and managing director of JPS.

http://gleaner-ja.com/gleaner/20110626/focus/focus8.html

OBSERVER:
Renewable energy, net metering and net billing
www.jamaicaobserver.com/business/Renewable-energy--net-metering-and-net-billing_ 8820507

It should be clear to everyone by now that there is no cheaper alternative to fossil-fuel produced energy. President Obama admitted that under his 'Green Energy' plan,the cost of energy would "necessarily sky-rocket." That is true everywhere. The predominant issue in TB and the rest of Jamaica is the high cost of energy,therefore the focus needs to be on producing energy cheaper. The reality is it would be economic suicide if we focus on the expensive environmentally friendly energy while at the same time we can't afford the cheaper fossil-fuel. What we should be doing is trying to lower the cost of producing the conventional energy.
Anyone ever considered the vulnerability of solar panels during hurricanes for instance? What about replacement cost of these expensive equipment?
On another note, these energy saving bulbs are very environmentally unfriendly and hazardous and there disposal process and safe handling if broken is not mentioned anywhere in Jamaica as far as I am aware. The other concern is they don't seem to last as long as they used to, therefore the energy saving may not be out weighing their cost?
The issue with Ethanol is something which should give us pause,the product in our instance is not cheaper and is definitely inferior and it's production process produces CO2,the dreaded greenhouse gas of the 'climate changers'.

India Solar Boom: Rural Poor Give Up On Power Grid:
www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/07/04/india-solar-power-boom_n_889760.html

Developing Countries Can Spark Wave of Innovation in Clean Energy:
www.wri.org/stories/2011/06/developing-countries-can-spark-wave-innovation-clean -energy


And In Highly Industrialized Germany, Ambitious Aims to Rid The Country of Nuclear Power And Replace With Renewable Energy On An Accelerated TimeTable:

Germany's renewable energy sector is among the most innovative and successful worldwide. Nordex, Repower, Fuhrländer and Enercon are wind power companies based in Germany.
SolarWorld, Q-Cells and Conergy are solar power companies based in Germany. These companies dominate the world market. Every third solar panel and every second wind rotor is made in Germany, and German turbines and generators used in hydro energy generation are among the most popular worldwide.
Nearly 800,000 people work in the German environment technology sector; an estimated 214,000 people work with renewables in Germany, up from 157,000 in 2004, an increase of 36 percent.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renewable_energy_in_Germany

JAMAICA: Let's get on with the Alternative Energy component of our National Energy Policy & the Vision 2030 National Development Plan:

...the policy, which has a target of 11 percent renewable energy use by 2012, will help to cut down on the country's massive import for oil; reduce the cost of energy to consumers and the productive sector thereby boosting productivity and economic development.

..."We want to be the driving force in Jamaica, if not the Caribbean, for renewable energy because we think it's here to stay as part of the future."
--Earl Barrett (General Manager Wigton Windfarm Ltd)

(Excerpted from the Observer: 18•3•2011)

An Electrical Utility (JPS) guaranteed a 20 (plus) percent Return On Investment, whether or not it meets its customers' satisfaction (random outages still rule everyday life of homes and businesses...just wonderful for productivity, domestic tranquility & piece of mind, nuh?).
All that in the face of a utility government regulator (OUR), which is relatively toothless when it comes to protecting the public from predatory squeeze tactics, whereby because of a "contracted" monopoly, there is no alternative to help stabilize prices and improve service.

This is what our business leaders are thinking and saying, out of disgust with utility costs which are eating into their competitiveness and their PROFITS:

It is 9 a.m. on Tuesday, June 28, a normal workday, and my entire office staff is sitting in darkness, enduring our fifth - or is it sixth - prolonged power outage for the year at our business place, after suffering another outage late afternoon the previous day. I congratulate my management team and board for supporting our recent investment in a solar photovoltaic system that only provides 2kW of our 40kW electrical load but facilitates operation of phones, servers and critical computers - at least for a few hours while we wait on JPS to fix the current problem.

A lot of time is being spent debating the buy-back rate and type of contracts required between the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) and the consumer to encourage renewable energy investments.

• Saving 39 US cents (ignoring GCT) for each kWh that our solar system generates.

• Our corporate social and environmental responsibility.

Since we want to continue running our business with minimal disruption by any outside party, we consider investment in renewable energy (and energy conservation) as a critical aspect of our business strategy.

...we recognise that realistic purchase rates and a simplified process would encourage consumers to invest in renewable energy plants and export surplus electricity to the grid
...The energy crunch is not new, and it is obviously here to stay, as high oil prices, inefficient generation plant/distribution systems and a profit-motivated monopoly will keep the costs relatively high, with perhaps a modest downward reduction from the LNG project (whatever the final form is).

Maybe we need to realise that the future is perhaps not with LNG, nuclear, coal (or whatever the current recommendation is) and maintaining the existing centralised grid, but with a decentralised system, utilising hundreds or thousands of small generation sources, with many of them being renewable energy or new, more efficient 'small' plants such as fuel cells or micro-turbines.
Steve Marston::CEO of CAC 2000 & holder of advanced degrees in Energy Management (MS-U of Pennsylvania) & Environmental Engineering (BSc-U of Strathclyde)

Time To Tackle Energy:
http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20110705/cleisure/cleisure4.html


Worried about hurricanes and their potential damage to solar PV array, which is professionally installed, in a fashion that is as fortified as the highest building code standard for a roofing system (derived from Dade County Florida after hurricane Andrew).

Just one example of one of our fellow citizens:
During Hurricane Dean, while others were in darkness due to the loss of the public electricity supply, Levy was running his house as he normally did, with all the comforts of home, because he had generated his own electricity.

He ended up having to facilitate neighbours with ice and even stored some frozen foods for them, as he was one of the few with a working refrigerator that didn't use a noisy, conventional fuel generator.

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20081025/lead/lead3.html

Twin Perils - Balancing Energy Shortages And Global Warming

Although much of the early nuclear science was done in Germany, the modern German is very much against nuclear energy, and many violent demonstrations have supported its high political sensitivity... some 23 per cent of their total electricity (comes from nuclear).

Germany has announced that it plans to shut down all its nuclear reactors over the next 11 years, the same end date proposed by previous governments. The outputs would be replaced with renewable energy - a massive task for a country which has the world's fourth-largest economy to replace that much energy.

That decision makes Germany the biggest industrial power to give up nuclear energy. The reaction in Germany, as expressed by Chancellor Merkel, who was previously a supporter of nuclear energy, is of worldwide interest.... Wind and Solar are the preferred alternatives for nuclear... a new and improved transmission system would be inescapable.
Based on previous studies, this probably mostly means a smart grid of very high DC voltage atop very high pylons already known as 'Energie Autobahn', which would run right through the heart of Germany.
Concerned residents fear new pylons will spoil their countryside. Emotions now run deep, not only against nuclear power, but also against coal and disfiguring central Germany with pylons carrying electricity from wind farms.

So, there is opposition to the energy highway. Some activists do not want nuclear power, but neither do they want a landscape disfigured by what they call 'mega masts'.

Chancellor Merkel...wants to prove that it is possible for a major industrialised economy to achieve economic growth, create jobs and economic prosperity, at the same time as moving the country to renewable-energy sources.
The government points out that already the renewable-energy industry employs around 370,000 people. There is good news for manufacturers of the renewable-energy infrastructure.

...in the long term, if it works, Germany is going to be way ahead of its competitors, and then would stand to make a great deal of money.

Gleaner Story:
http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20110707/business/business1.html

Spooky D...we too shared your concern about potential health hazards from the mercury in compact fluorescent bulbs (CFL), but not the fact that they reduce energy consumption over a much longer time period than the incandescent version invented by Thomas Edison back in 1879.
Although still going through an improvement cycle as to "beam spread" etc, LED bulbs, in the future, should be replacing CFLs, with far less energy use.

We found an article by Tom Edison's great grand son attempting to channel the reasonings of the great inventor:

...my great-grandfather would be annoyed by the misleading and sometimes downright false statistics being thrown around in this controversy.

One red-herring is that an over-reaching Big Government is taking away our beloved incandescent bulb. Not true. Consumers can continue choosing from an array of more modern, energy efficient bulbs, including halogen incandescents, compact fluorescents (CFLs) and light-emitting diodes (LEDs.)
By the way, are you telling me that we can send a man to the moon but the entire population hasn't got one electrical engineer who can improve the heat-loss-to-incandescent ratio?

Another argument that turns out to smell fishy is the red herring that CFLs are dangerous because they contain about 3 milligrams of mercury. Before I did the math, I thought so, too.

No one should minimize mercury as a pollutant, but intelligent disposal and recycling of everyday mercury-bearing products is the best way to keep it out of the environment.
Among other household products that contain more mercury include thermostats, your watch battery and, oh yes, the fillings in your teeth (unless you have switched to plastic.)

A far greater human health threat comes from the mercury spewed by electricity-generating power plants. Once the new standards take full effect in 2020, mercury emissions associated with common household lighting would be reduced by 60%. That will also eliminate about 100 million tons of carbon dioxide pollution from the atmosphere each year -- the equivalent of taking 17 million cars off the road.

The light bulb furor highlights another crucial Edison conviction. Long ago he wanted the United States to abandon oil as a primary energy source.

In fact, near the end of his life, he told Henry Ford and Harvey Firestone that he wanted America to end its reliance on oil and other polluting fossil fuels and, instead, embrace clean, renewable sources of energy, especially solar power.

What Thomas Edison Would Do:
www.huffingtonpost.com/david-edison-sloane/what-thomas-edison-would-_1_b_892478. html

JPS To Invest J$30b In LNG Plant, Anti-Theft Initiatives - Says Returns, Profit Not Guaranteed

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20110708/business/business2.html

Recycle the Teevee's. Three'ish hours per day per person adds up to a scary human hour drain. Just for the trance state. Plus the oil pushed electrons used nationally for this. Get a shortwave radio, learn to play an instrument and get your visuals from nature.

Check your diet. How much refrigeration do you use and what does it cool? How much oil does it take to produce your meals? Water pumped, vehicles moving stuff, chemicals used in the so called Green Revolution etc.

Build to take advantage of the winds and ways to turn solar heat to cool. Harden yourself to higher temperatures, a sweat everyday is great. Recycle air conditioners.

Measure how much energy/time you spend on social display. Big car, lawn cut for lawn bowls? Recycle all associated electric and oil powered tools. Get excersice from hand tools. Ten room house for two people....? Buy strong clothes and shoes for comfort and lasting.

Oil will not be getting cheaper in the long run, current likewise. Unless the boys have tapped zero point energy, may as well start adapting from now. Our local providers of oil and current are not going to encourage these examinations.

Examine what frugality is all about. Examine what meaness and selfishness is all about. Likewise trust and neighbourliness.

Mating displays can be elegant without megabucks. Unless one wants to broadcast big price/big pocket.

Words into the Bluff wind.

I keep checking here to see if anyone posted useful suggestions for villa owners and similar people who are trying to provide a good experience for their guests and are still trying to conserve current and save money. There was a question on solar panels for pool pumps but no answer. Instead I keep seeing long research postings that might be useful if I was writing a university thesis. How about some practical advice please.

To INFO NEEDED-

Just GOOGLE it.

You will find kits, pumps parts etc.

Call REAL GOODS in California USA, maybe they even sell a kit. If you have a villa then you should perhaps utilize them for their knowledge on how you can save by using solar in other areas of your property.

I googled solar pool pump and am finding alot of info is literally "at your fingertips" if you look.

PAN, solar cells charge while there is sunlight and the pump may not be on all the time. Look at a 24 hour cycle and calculate the estimated solar cell charge needed and the pumps current draw. The power rating of the pump should be on it.

Knowing the wattage need, you can figure how much solar charging/solar panels is needed and the costs.

You also need a charge controller to keep the battery from overcharging and an inverter to change the 12 V DC from the battery to 120 V AC for the pump. Trackers that keep the panels pointed at the sun are an option.

Check prices online.

What about transport costs from California, not to mention customs duties and taxes when entering Jamaica? Is this equipment not readily available in Jamaica?

Check the Jamaica Solar Energy Associaion.

http://www.pcj.com/dnn/RenewalEnergy/SolarEnergyAssociation/tabid/114/Default.as px

I'm not clear if this is an initiative of the JPS. They may have some answers.

Does anyone know if alternative energy generating equipment can enter Jamaica duty etc free?

Every other Island people can take stuff to their country and are not face with the high duty cost like Jamaica. Why is our system so messed up???.

Israel Offers To Help Ease Jamaica's Energy Crisis: Subsidies/Grants/Development-Foreign Aid, In The Renewable Energy Sector, Would be Gratefully Accepted!

"Israel is a country that lacks natural resources. We don't have oil, we don't have a lot of gas ... . We have been forced to find alternative sources of energy, and solar is one of them," Sermoneta said.

He noted that many Israelis have made technological advancements in the area of renewable energy, and said Jamaica could benefit from these developments.

Barren of oil and surrounded by nations, the Israeli government has said it is aiming at taking renewable energy technology to a level where the world could significantly reduce its dependence on oil.

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20110712/lead/lead3.html

With Jamaica now in the "modern" world, does the country have adequate recycling facilities to collect stuff like batteries, tires, and bulbs?

If Jamaica recycles I have yet to see anything in Treasure Beach. We are using flourescent bulbs but we have no safe way to discard them.

Wisynco Group Limited, which sells Watta, Bigga, etc, used to recycle their plastic bottles back in the 90s.

It was a great program. They sent out old rum casks and petroleum barrels to schools/shops as collection bins and then sent around a truck to collect the empties once a month or so.

As I remember it, they canceled it because they didn't have a plant to actually do the recycling of plastics on island and had to ship it abroad and it was simply too expensive.

I asked the question because I am truly concerned. As an island, Jamiaca is simply a large ship sailing in the Caribbean. There is only so much capacity for waste storage. The island will, sooner or later, reach a critical point where the populace will not be able to escape the toxic stew that will devour it's air, land, and water.

I agree with Just Tired and, following up on turey's question, anyone knows the rules relevant to importing energy eqptmnt? I have a friend that just invented and is in the process of patenting a generator. I wonder how this could be introduced to the Rock?