Goodbye ecomafia

On December 18th, 2011, I let my domain name ecomafia.com expire. I first registered it twelve years ago. Even though it has expired, the registrar still has it pointing at this blog, which is where I've had it pointed since I discontinued my Website a year ago. I'll be curious to see if someone else decides it is worth buying for any reason, and when the forwarding will get turned off. Below is my slightly edited explanation of why I chose the name. This explanation used to be posted on the Website.

The idea of "Ecomafia" sprouted on the Negit Islands during summer 1999 CaliforniaGull research. I think it was Justin's idea, but

Seven Solstices

Mike Klapp and I spent seven solstices in a row together watching the sun rise somewhere in the Mono Basin. Well, actually two specific locations: Warren Bench and Black Point. Not the sun, us. This was a grand solstice tradition by the time it ended when Mike

California Utilities Still Freeloading on Independent Solar Power Producers

The state government is still being controlled by the big utilities, preventing full reimbursement for small power producers with Net Energy Metering contracts.

In 2001 I installed Mono County's first solar photovoltaic grid intertie on my Lee Vining home. The electricity was accounted for through "net metering," which means that during a one-year period, you subtract the energy you produce from what you use and pay for what is left--what you used that you did not generate. Typically the net use is positive, meaning you use more than you produce and have to pay a bill at the end of the year. State incentives are designed to create systems that aren't oversized, and prior to this year if you generated more than you produced--a negative net use--your bill would be zeroed out and you would start the next year without a credit.

One remarkable year that happened to me. I really