Heard a guy at the hardware store say 'the grid can handle anything' when buying a gas generator

This was in Spokane last week. He was buying a big portable generator, and his friend asked about getting a solar battery backup instead. He just laughed and said the quote above. It made me think about how many people still assume our infrastructure is unbreakable, even after all the extreme weather events. It's not just about personal prep, it's about the strain on the whole system when everyone thinks that way. Has anyone had luck talking to neighbors or friends about making more resilient choices, without sounding like you're preaching?

3 comments

3 Comments

kim_west1mo ago

That kind of thinking is exactly why the grid can't handle anything, because everyone piles on at once.

king.derek1mo ago

Ever try staggering your big power draws? I run the dishwasher overnight and charge the car after midnight. It takes a tiny bit of planning but it really does help spread the load out. If more people did that instead of everything at 6pm, the system would have a much easier time.

willow_morgan1mo ago

Oh man, I was totally that guy a few years back. Seeing how many outages we get now completely flipped my view.