Editor’s Note: There are many conservatives who avoid the topic of drought. It’s crystal clear that we’re in the middle of multiple droughts across the globe, but I often get lambasted in comments for even mentioning it. Until today I couldn’t understand it. Then, I realized that droughts are being used by climate change maniacs to promote their agenda. This must be why many on the right are denying they’re even happening.
They’re definitely happening, but not due to manmade climate change. If there’s anything manmade about them, it would be the manipulations of DARPA or other advanced technological groups working with the globalist elites. I’m not saying that’s definitely what’s happening, but I’d rather look toward conspiracy rather than pretend the problem doesn’t exist.
These droughts are causing massive challenges for both agriculture and energy production. It isn’t just hydroelectric energy production that’s affected. Water is used to cool the mechanisms of other forms of energy production, so if this drought continues we will be hurting in major ways beyond “just” food shortages. I talked about this with my lovely and talented co-host and wife on today’s episode of The JD Rucker Show. Here’s the relevant snippet from the show followed by the article by Mary Villareal from Natural News…
Low water levels are already causing problems with crop yields in the western part of the United States. An expansive, decades-long drought is also forcing drastic cuts in hydroelectric power generation.
Water is critical in generating electricity. Around 40 percent of water withdrawals – freshwater taken out of ground or surface water sources – in the U.S. go toward energy production, with a large majority of the shares used to cool down power plants. This process also requires energy to extract, purify, transport and deliver water to different areas.
However, the United Nations Environment Program warned earlier this month that if the dry conditions continue, two of the largest hydroelectric reservoirs in the U.S. – Lake Mead and Lake Powell – could eventually reach “dead pool status.” This means that water levels get too low to flow downstream, stopping energy generation.
The Bureau of Reclamation said that 950 feet is the lowest water elevation at which Lake Mead can generate power. It is currently only at 1,040 feet.
Lake Powell is in an even worse shape. If the water level falls another 32 feet, the dam will no longer be able to generate electricity.
“Water supplies for agriculture, fisheries, ecosystems, industry, cities and energy are no longer stable given anthropogenic climate change,” said Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Camille Calimlim Touton.
Lake Mead fuels the Hoover Dam, which has a power capacity of over 2,080 megawatts, enough for 1.3 million Americans to use in a year. Lake Powell, on the other hand, fuels Glen Canyon Dam, which drives generators that go up to 1,300 megawatts.
When these energy sources stop generating power, there will be bigger problems to face in the next months as the cold weather approaches.
Doug Greenland, general manager of the Cortaro Marana Irrigation District (CMID), said that having low water levels is a big issue. “As an irrigation district, all of our power comes from Hoover Dam and we’re obviously watching the water level there very closely.”
The district supplies water not only to communities in Arizona but also irrigates over 10,000 acres of farmland.
Arizona to buy more expensive energy if dams fail
Lea Marquez Peterson, chairwoman of the Arizona Corporation Commission, said people may not realize that a lot of the inexpensive hydroelectric power from the dams came from the two lakes.
She added that public utilities and rural electric co-ops tend to use the power from hydroelectric dams, and the areas that are served by the co-ops may have to buy more expensive energy if there’s a shortfall on the market.
Arizona allocated nearly 19 percent of the energy generated at Hoover Dam. A study from 2015 showed that customers would see a nominal increase in their electric bills if Glen Canyon Dam stopped producing electricity. However, there is a ripple effect. (Related: A horrifying drought is causing widespread crop failures throughout the United States and Europe.)
Marquez Peterson said those in rural communities, retirees on a fixed income, agricultural users and small businesses who rely on clean utility power can be affected and must be prepared.
The problem is not limited to the U.S. either. Extreme weather around the world is causing all sorts of stresses to energy grids, with France needing to curb output from its nuclear power plants to maintain ideal temperatures and has received allowances to discharge hotter water back into rivers to meet their energy demands.
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Low water levels in the Rhine River is also threatening to disrupt coal and gasoline shipments in Germany.
As average temperatures continue to rise, many parts of the globe will see energy demands grow while supplies remain constrained as water remains a key factor for both sides.
Visit PowerGrid.news for more news related to the power grid.
Watch the video below to see how dire the situation already is at Lake Mead.
This video is from the Red Pill channel on Brighteon.com.
More related stories:
- Low runoff from the Colorado River threatens water shortage across 7 western states.
- Water shortage on the Colorado River poses severe challenge for Arizona farmers.
- Unchecked demand for water from the Colorado River system threatens livelihood of locals near Green River.
- Federal government to make major cuts in water deliveries to Western states.
Sources include:
Five Things New “Preppers” Forget When Getting Ready for Bad Times Ahead
The preparedness community is growing faster than it has in decades. Even during peak times such as Y2K, the economic downturn of 2008, and Covid, the vast majority of Americans made sure they had plenty of toilet paper but didn’t really stockpile anything else.
Things have changed. There’s a growing anxiety in this presidential election year that has prompted more Americans to get prepared for crazy events in the future. Some of it is being driven by fearmongers, but there are valid concerns with the economy, food supply, pharmaceuticals, the energy grid, and mass rioting that have pushed average Americans into “prepper” mode.
There are degrees of preparedness. One does not have to be a full-blown “doomsday prepper” living off-grid in a secure Montana bunker in order to be ahead of the curve. In many ways, preparedness isn’t about being able to perfectly handle every conceivable situation. It’s about being less dependent on government for as long as possible. Those who have proper “preps” will not be waiting for FEMA to distribute emergency supplies to the desperate masses.
Below are five things people new to preparedness (and sometimes even those with experience) often forget as they get ready. All five are common sense notions that do not rely on doomsday in order to be useful. It may be nice to own a tank during the apocalypse but there’s not much you can do with it until things get really crazy. The recommendations below can have places in the lives of average Americans whether doomsday comes or not.
Note: The information provided by this publication or any related communications is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as financial advice. We do not provide personalized investment, financial, or legal advice.
Secured Wealth
Whether in the bank or held in a retirement account, most Americans feel that their life’s savings is relatively secure. At least they did until the last couple of years when de-banking, geopolitical turmoil, and the threat of Central Bank Digital Currencies reared their ugly heads.
It behooves Americans to diversify their holdings. If there’s a triggering event or series of events that cripple the financial systems or devalue the U.S. Dollar, wealth can evaporate quickly. To hedge against potential turmoil, many Americans are looking in two directions: Crypto and physical precious metals.
There are huge advantages to cryptocurrencies, but there are also inherent risks because “virtual” money can become challenging to spend. Add in the push by central banks and governments to regulate or even replace cryptocurrencies with their own versions they control and the risks amplify. There’s nothing wrong with cryptocurrencies today but things can change rapidly.
As for physical precious metals, many Americans pay cash to keep plenty on hand in their safe. Rolling over or transferring retirement accounts into self-directed IRAs is also a popular option, but there are caveats. It can often take weeks or even months to get the gold and silver shipped if the owner chooses to close their account. This is why Genesis Gold Group stands out. Their relationship with the depositories allows for rapid closure and shipping, often in less than 10 days from the time the account holder makes their move. This can come in handy if things appear to be heading south.
Lots of Potable Water
One of the biggest shocks that hit new preppers is understanding how much potable water they need in order to survive. Experts claim one gallon of water per person per day is necessary. Even the most conservative estimates put it at over half-a-gallon. That means that for a family of four, they’ll need around 120 gallons of water to survive for a month if the taps turn off and the stores empty out.
Being near a fresh water source, whether it’s a river, lake, or well, is a best practice among experienced preppers. It’s necessary to have a water filter as well, even if the taps are still working. Many refuse to drink tap water even when there is no emergency. Berkey was our previous favorite but they’re under attack from regulators so the Alexapure systems are solid replacements.
For those in the city or away from fresh water sources, storage is the best option. This can be challenging because proper water storage containers take up a lot of room and are difficult to move if the need arises. For “bug in” situations, having a larger container that stores hundreds or even thousands of gallons is better than stacking 1-5 gallon containers. Unfortunately, they won’t be easily transportable and they can cost a lot to install.
Water is critical. If chaos erupts and water infrastructure is compromised, having a large backup supply can be lifesaving.
Pharmaceuticals and Medical Supplies
There are multiple threats specific to the medical supply chain. With Chinese and Indian imports accounting for over 90% of pharmaceutical ingredients in the United States, deteriorating relations could make it impossible to get the medicines and antibiotics many of us need.
Stocking up many prescription medications can be hard. Doctors generally do not like to prescribe large batches of drugs even if they are shelf-stable for extended periods of time. It is a best practice to ask your doctor if they can prescribe a larger amount. Today, some are sympathetic to concerns about pharmacies running out or becoming inaccessible. Tell them your concerns. It’s worth a shot. The worst they can do is say no.
If your doctor is unwilling to help you stock up on medicines, then Jase Medical is a good alternative. Through telehealth, they can prescribe daily meds or antibiotics that are shipped to your door. As proponents of medical freedom, they empathize with those who want to have enough medical supplies on hand in case things go wrong.
Energy Sources
The vast majority of Americans are locked into the grid. This has proven to be a massive liability when the grid goes down. Unfortunately, there are no inexpensive remedies.
Those living off-grid had to either spend a lot of money or effort (or both) to get their alternative energy sources like solar set up. For those who do not want to go so far, it’s still a best practice to have backup power sources. Diesel generators and portable solar panels are the two most popular, and while they’re not inexpensive they are not out of reach of most Americans who are concerned about being without power for extended periods of time.
Natural gas is another necessity for many, but that’s far more challenging to replace. Having alternatives for heating and cooking that can be powered if gas and electric grids go down is important. Have a backup for items that require power such as manual can openers. If you’re stuck eating canned foods for a while and all you have is an electric opener, you’ll have problems.
Don’t Forget the Protein
When most think about “prepping,” they think about their food supply. More Americans are turning to gardening and homesteading as ways to produce their own food. Others are working with local farmers and ranchers to purchase directly from the sources. This is a good idea whether doomsday comes or not, but it’s particularly important if the food supply chain is broken.
Most grocery stores have about one to two weeks worth of food, as do most American households. Grocers rely heavily on truckers to receive their ongoing shipments. In a crisis, the current process can fail. It behooves Americans for multiple reasons to localize their food purchases as much as possible.
Long-term storage is another popular option. Canned foods, MREs, and freeze dried meals are selling out quickly even as prices rise. But one component that is conspicuously absent in shelf-stable food is high-quality protein. Most survival food companies offer low quality “protein buckets” or cans of meat, but they are often barely edible.
Prepper All-Naturals offers premium cuts of steak that have been cooked sous vide and freeze dried to give them a 25-year shelf life. They offer Ribeye, NY Strip, and Tenderloin among others.
Having buckets of beans and rice is a good start, but keeping a solid supply of high-quality protein isn’t just healthier. It can help a family maintain normalcy through crises.
Prepare Without Fear
With all the challenges we face as Americans today, it can be emotionally draining. Citizens are scared and there’s nothing irrational about their concerns. Being prepared and making lifestyle changes to secure necessities can go a long way toward overcoming the fears that plague us. We should hope and pray for the best but prepare for the worst. And if the worst does come, then knowing we did what we could to be ready for it will help us face those challenges with confidence.
