After two decades, a tiny Florida island where 43 households live off the grid may be forced to accept Utility power.
The lure of enhanced property prices has persuaded some residents of No Name Key to switch their allegiance. Recent arrivals on the island have provided the main impetus, but strong support still exists for those wanting to remain off the grid.
“Why isn’t the (local) power utility supporting solar use?” asks Deb Curlee in a letter to her local paper, The Key West Citizen. “I just don’t get it. Energy costs continue to rise and most politicians are supportive of finding alternative sources of energy.
“We have in our midst a shining example of an off-the-grid community on No Name Key. Keys Energy Services should be supportive and proud.
The people who insist on attempting to change No Name Key knew it was an off-the-grid community when they bought their homes. If they want electricity, they should move somewhere else. Like I said at the beginning, I just don’t get it.
The two sides are evenly split. “I have 3, 500 watts of solar power on my roof,” says local John Lentini ” but solar panels will not run air conditioning no matter what people might say.”
True, but good design and thru-breezes needs no air-con and saves energy.
All who want to help keep No Name off the grid should write-in their support for the solar community at the local Board meeting this Wednesday.