Venezuela to Ration Electricity

[SSG Snuggle Bunny]

Oil-rich Venezuela ushered in 2010 with new measures rationing electricity use in malls, businesses and billboards, as Hugo Chavez's government aimed to save power amid a crippling drought.

The new regulations came into effect January 1, with businesses required to comply with reduced consumption limits and authorities warning of forced power cuts and rate hikes if the measures are not followed.

http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=CNG.227e6a4e11ba39c08630e5729d693330.9e1&show_article=1

Hey DUmmies, how's that Bolivarian Revolucion working out for you?

[Oceander]

http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=CNG.227e6a4e11ba39c08630e5729d693330.9e1&show_article=1

Hey DUmmies, how's that Bolivarian Revolucion working out for you?

When we were there many years ago, power was cheap, and plentiful. 

[SSG Snuggle Bunny]

When we were there many years ago, power was cheap, and plentiful. 

I blame Bush.

It was because of the BFEE that the CIA used Venezuelan corporatists to stage a coup forcing Chavez to seize the economy and institute controls.[/DUmode]

[The Village Idiot]

Lets ration power for the PAYING customers not for the non-paying customers. Anyone see a problem down the road?

[Oceander]

Lets ration power for the PAYING customers not for the non-paying customers. Anyone see a problem down the road?

Hmmm, Yup.  Too many paying customers, right?

[The Village Idiot]

Hmmm, Yup.  Too many paying customers, right?

pretty soon they will have to raise rates on everyone, even those getting cut-rate or free service now. They already don't haave enough cash flow because Chavez has squandered and misspent the national treasure for the last 10 years. The money that was supposed to go to investing in power generation went to the military and bureaucracy and whatnot. Then they purchased used coop-type generators from Cuba at high prices that make little to no sense for Venezuela, operating costs make it stupid when they could have spent less on a real power plant.

Stupid commies.

[Oceander]

Yup.  Socialism is only fun until you run out of other peoples' money (or, perhaps, until you run out of other people ??)

[I_B_Perky]

I fear this is coming to the US thanks to the tree hugging watermelons and their butt buddy occupying the oval office.

[Oceander]

I fear this is coming to the US thanks to the tree hugging watermelons and their butt buddy occupying the oval office.

Coming first to your doctor's office, courtesy of Obamacare.

[The Village Idiot]

Yup.  Socialism is only fun until you run out of other peoples' money (or, perhaps, until you run out of other people ??)

Good news Premier, we have no more poverty and noone is without food, water and electricity! Of course, we're the only two people left in the country

[rich_t]

How long before it happens here?

Y'all have heard of smart meters right?

One example:

https://www.aepohio.com/save/SmartMeters/FAQ.aspx

[DumbAss Tanker]

He ought to be about out of any professionals or middle class left to blame in his own country, looks like it must be our fault.

Seriously, how effed-up a job of managing civil services do you have to do, in order to end up rationing power in a petroleum-exporting country?  Hugo and Achmeindinnerjacket are truly exemplary leaders (Exemplars of incompetent leadership, that is).   

[thundley4]

He ought to be about out of any professionals or middle class left to blame in his own country, looks like it must be our fault.

Seriously, how effed-up a job of managing civil services do you have to do, in order to end up rationing power in a petroleum-exporting country?  Hugo and Achmeindinnerjacket are truly exemplary leaders (Exemplars of incompetent leadership, that is).   

By that same token, how stupid is a country that imports 70-80% of it's oil when it has large untapped reserves of oil and natural gas?

[DumbAss Tanker]

By that same token, how stupid is a country that imports 70-80% of it's oil when it has large untapped reserves of oil and natural gas?

There is a strategic value in using up all of the resouces at the disposal of our rivals first, before exhausting our own, of course that was the last thing in the minds of anyone involved in formulating our current energy policy (Or in the case of Congress, successfully hamstringing any attempt to actually have an energy policy).

[Thor]

How long before it happens here?

Y'all have heard of smart meters right?

One example:

https://www.aepohio.com/save/SmartMeters/FAQ.aspx

It already IS happening here.

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2008/06/texas-smart-meters-grid-oncor-electricity.php

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=103437607

http://www.pge.com/smartmeter/

I'm sure that there are more places where they are being implemented, if one searched. Those are just a few quick links I found on Google.

[The Village Idiot]

If its cheaper to import it and save ours for the future it makes sense.

Venezuela descriminates against those who know how to get things done in the name of the "Bolivarian Revolution".

Its just fair to give incompetents jobs they can't do. Plus its easier to loot the companies and government if no one has a clue whats going on.

[thundley4]

If its cheaper to import it and save ours for the future it makes sense.

Venezuela descriminates against those who know how to get things done in the name of the "Bolivarian Revolution".

Its just fair to give incompetents jobs they can't do. Plus its easier to loot the companies and government if no one has a clue whats going on.

You just described our present administration.

[The Village Idiot]

You just described our present administration.

Twins.

[bkg]

How long before it happens here?

Y'all have heard of smart meters right?

One example:

https://www.aepohio.com/save/SmartMeters/FAQ.aspx

A lot faster than anyone will believe, Rich. It's on it's way. Hell - it's almost in CA already. IBM is in bed deep with this administration on these "smart-grid" and "smart-xxx" technologies. The gov't will control all in the name of the environment.

[thundley4]

A lot faster than anyone will believe, Rich. It's on it's way. Hell - it's almost in CA already. IBM is in bed deep with this administration on these "smart-grid" and "smart-xxx" technologies. The gov't will control all in the name of the environment.

If by control you mean making electricity to expensive to use by passing Cap and Tax, then you might be right.

[bkg]

If by control you mean making electricity to expensive to use by passing Cap and Tax, then you might be right.

No.. I mean using current and new technology to allow the gov't to control your energy usage... It's not a new idea and is being tested in many places right now (CA's gov't controlled thermostat project)...

Electricity - no, Energy - will be rationed. It has to, by definition.

[The Village Idiot]

No.. I mean using current and new technology to allow the gov't to control your energy usage... It's not a new idea and is being tested in many places right now (CA's gov't controlled thermostat project)...

Electricity - no, Energy - will be rationed. It has to, by definition.

It does not have to be unless government is restricting its creation.

[bkg]

It does not have to be unless government is restricting its creation.

Creation and access are two very different issues. If you think the gov't won't control both, you're incorrect.

They've already rationed the creation of electricity by preventing new plants and allowing groups like the Sierra Club to burry people under EIS' for years. Shutting down Yucca Mountain causes a few issues as well. And Obama wants all coal burning to stop (or we'll bankrupt them). Energy is already one of the most regulated sectors of the country (considered core infrastructure), so yes, it's gov't controlled.

As for access, that's also gov't controlled and enforces in many senses. And it's going to get worse with the "Smart-xxx" that is being bantered about. Will be done under the guise of global warming, for sure, possibly under cap-n-tax, likely under other mechanisms. But it will be done.

[ironhorsedriver]

Thing is, it is a self feeding disaster. as you ration energy, you reduce production, employment goes down, revenue goes down, etc. Obama and his circus clowns just don't seem to get it. Socialism, in any form has never worked.

[rich_t]

Thing is, it is a self feeding disaster. as you ration energy, you reduce production, employment goes down, revenue goes down, etc. Obama and his circus clowns just don't seem to get it. Socialism, in any form has never worked.

Yup, but that ain't gonna stop them from trying to implement it America style.

I say we dust off the DoI and start again....