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RC

(25,592 posts)

17. If we can build the Interstate Highway system and put a men on the moon, why can't we upgrade our

Reply to eridani (Original post)

Mon Nov 19, 2012, 08:51 AM

Nov 2012

power grid to put a cushion in its load carrying capacity? Instead dropping the voltage down to 93 volts due to the heavy loads of air conditioners in Kansas City, as they did when the temperatures reached 110°+ last Summer.
With the sole exception of Google Fiber in select areas, why can't we at least match the rest of the civilized world in Internet speed?
As large as our country is, why are we still using 150 year old technology for our rail roads that limit trains to 60 MPH and slower, even in the wide open parts of the country?

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Q: What would happen to electricity if Hurricane Sandy hit the Netherlands? A: Nothing. [View all] eridani Nov 2012 OP

Pretty much the same in the UK dipsydoodle Nov 2012 #1

What about flooding? That caused loss of power in areas served by underground wires. n/t pnwmom Nov 2012 #2

They have some serious flood control cali Nov 2012 #3

If a big enough storm comes in at the right direction, even that can be overwhelmed. hobbit709 Nov 2012 #4

Did you read the article? The Netherlands is prepared for "a 10,000-year flood." WinkyDink Nov 2012 #11

That means chance of 1 in 10,000 years. It doesn't mean it can't happen next year. hobbit709 Nov 2012 #13

OFGS. And also NS, Sherlock. In which case, we're all on the Titanic, so why do anything, right? WinkyDink Nov 2012 #15

"What does it all mean, Mr. Natural?" hobbit709 Nov 2012 #16

Yes, they do. They're a tiny country that could easily be underwater. pnwmom Nov 2012 #6

Did you read the article? The Netherlands is prepared for "a 10,000-year flood." WinkyDink Nov 2012 #12

Yes, I did. Of course, a 10,000 year flood is probably a 100 year flood these days pnwmom Nov 2012 #20

No matter how positive Jack Sprat Nov 2012 #24

See what is possible in America newfie11 Nov 2012 #7

That would be contrary to policy. AnotherMcIntosh Nov 2012 #23

Why does the Netherlands discriminate agains the Poles? dixiegrrrrl Nov 2012 #5

lol HiPointDem Nov 2012 #10

Teapublicans would protect phone poles like incandescent bulbs.... Pholus Nov 2012 #8

To upgrade the infrastructure, they would have to raise rates AndyA Nov 2012 #9

Maybe we ought to have a Ten-Year Project, a la JFK and the Moon. WinkyDink Nov 2012 #14

If we can build the Interstate Highway system and put a men on the moon, why can't we upgrade our RC Nov 2012 #17

About 100 billion a year would do it Kaleva Nov 2012 #18

That may be, but their rich are too poor and their poor too rich Fumesucker Nov 2012 #19

What we need is a study that is not funded by electric companies. Glassunion Nov 2012 #21

hell no, we'd rather have millions in prison and unemployed than give anyone a job digging librechik Nov 2012 #22

For centuries, Holland was known as The Lowlands Hekate Nov 2012 #25