Energy Use

I just read that 93% of our energy comes from coal, oil, natural gas and nuclear. That leaves 7% for everything else including hydro(36% of the 7%), geothermal (5%), solar (1%), biofuel (53%)and wind (5%). My question is this... If we refuse to permit coal mines, oil rigs and nuclear power plants where is the energy going to come from? Can we build enough windmills and solar plants? What happens when the wind doesn't blow or the sun isn't shining? Laws of economics tell us that as materials become less available their prices go up. Why don't we let economics dictate our power supplies. As certain energy becomes more expensive the alternatives look that much better. So we have no alternative than to support the coal miners, oil and gas drillers and the existing nuclear facilities for now and work toward more efficient energy use. There is no alternative.

West Virginia Hills

The hills and the hollers are multiple colors of green. The creeks are clear and fast until it rains and then they are muddy for a day or so. The corn is beginning to show where it is flat enough to plant and the hay is being cut where it is not. West Virginians are working. In the coal mines, in the power plants, at gas compressor stations, drilling rigs and pipelines, fixing heavy equipment, hauling heavy equipment and driving heavy equipment. In chemical plants, steel mills and machine shops. In electric motor shops and locomotive shops. In tank farms, on wind farms and on dairy farms. On railroads, trucks and buses. Considering the economy WV has fared better than most. There are still people unemployed but there are lots of people working. I see "hiring" signs everywhere in my travels. Things are looking up. Continue to be optimistic about the future it will be much better than the past. As you look around and consider how bad your situation might be, you don't have to look very far to see someone worse off. be thankful for what you have and look forward to a better future.

Problem Solving

In the hydraulic and pneumatic torque tool business problem solving is the words of the day. These tools are used when you cant do the job by hand in any traditional "safe" way. There are many ways to do things to get the job done. When a standard wrench will not work there are the "cheaters". A pipe wrench on the nut and a 10' piece of pipe on the wrench and two guys pulling on the pipe. BANG...the pipe slips, the two guys go ass over teakettle and someone gets hurt. Our tools help eliminate the danger inherrant in these types of situations. As maintenance budgets are cut in our tight economy and as the experienced maintenance crews retire (or get hurt) and as new opportunities arise in wind farms and alternative energy producers we need to continually strive to b efficient and safe in these jobs. TorcUP is ready to show the way.