Category: Environment


Choice in EV vehicles

Filed under: Environment, Social Activism, Tourists by Kevin Griffiths — Leave a comment
June 12, 2018

 

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Nissan Leaf, gets Dc quick charge in Merritt Sunday July 13th/14 Photo KDG

There are at least a dozen and a half electric vehicles out there adding to consumers choice for enjoyment of the tremendous liberty of a personal motor car. Ranges vary and mixes of full EV to charging engines give a wide preference field for any one that can afford to get into an electric vehicle.

There are also 1000 public chargers and a number of quick chargers ( DC 30 minute ). There are enough quick chargers to go from Vancouver through Golden to Canmore Alberta and have use of them in nine communities. Range and planning around chargers still remain a challenge amongst users.

BC Hydro info page: Range

EVs remain a novelty at this time quick chargers may have line up challenges because of increased interest.

On this Day; June 12th 1939

Three strip technicolor is used for the first time. The film is used in Paramount pictures Dr. Cyclops.

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TGIF- Happy World Ocean Day:

Filed under: Environment by Kevin Griffiths — Leave a comment
June 8, 2018

World Oceans Day:

Today is World Oceans day there theme this year is plastic pollution.

 

For world oceans day and beyond, we think the use of plastic straws can be a flash point for action in care for our oceans. By this we mean that its something everyone can be involved in:

Some points:

  • Secure loose used straws when used.
  • Don’t use them when you don’t have to.
  • Reuse your sandwich bag and collect them for personal  use in purse or pocket.
  • Carry a straw for use, ( rinsed)
  • Use your own common sense and proprietary.

On this Day: June 8th 1992
World Oceans Day begins to be unofficially observed, continues until UN sanction in 2008.

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$1.29.9 a liter

Filed under: Environment, Space by Kevin Griffiths — Leave a comment
May 30, 2018

 

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Broken sign no contract….File Photo KDG

 

The Petro Can station on Voght and Nicola, ( highway 8 and 5 ) is selling regular gasoline at One twenty nine point nine a liter today down 10cents from recent weeks. That is 2 cents less then other stations in Merritt BC.
The average price is $1.48.9 in BC at this writing. Prices trending up. Saskatchewan has the lowest average price per liter at $1.25.2.

On this Day: May 30th 1975

The European Space Agency is established.

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Third Full Moon of the season,Flower Moon!

Filed under: Environment, Space by Kevin Griffiths — Leave a comment
May 29, 2018
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File Photo KDG

The time between the March 20th equinox and the summer solstice is refereed to as a lunar season giving the opportunity to name full moons. The full moon tonight will be a flower moon and the third of that season. It will be the final full moon of the spring season and be known as a flower, milk or planting moon. The same full moon in the southern hemisphere will be a hunter, beaver or frost moon.
The gravity of the moon is thought to effect earthquakes, lava flows and other earth events.
Enjoy the bright show tonight, the May moon is known as “when the ponies shed their shaggy hair ” by some first peoples.

In BC the moon was completely full at 7:19 this AM.

MOON

Moon rising File photo KDG

On this Day; May 29th 1660

Charles II is restored as a King when the English throne is returned.

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TGIF- high hazard in bush…

Filed under: Environment, Fire and Flood by Kevin Griffiths — Leave a comment
May 25, 2018

Merritt BC experienced a quick run off beginning in the 1st week of May. High water and dry conditions see a high forest fire hazard in the local woods at this writing.
The holiday weekend saw a break in the river levels giving some relief to sand bagging efforts.

On this Day: May 25th 1977
Star wars is released in theaters.

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TGIF-Free dump day rescheduled to June 16-17…

Filed under: Environment by Kevin Griffiths — Leave a comment
May 11, 2018
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Bear deterrent File: Photo KDG

The regional district has rescheduled its free dump day from May 12th until June 16th and 17th.
This is because of flooding in the Lower Nicola area. All other conditions still apply some of which are 1 pickup truck load or a similar trailer load…

On this Day: May 11th 1995

The non-proliferation of  atomic weapons treaty is extended without an expiring date or conditions.

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Land slide data base, citizen science project, NASA

Filed under: Environment, Fire and Flood by Kevin Griffiths — Leave a comment
May 8, 2018
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Moon at three quarter. August ,Merritt BC FilePhoto KDG

 

The space administration in the US is asking for public help to create a global landslide data base.

Collar is the Cooperative  Open Online Landslide Repository is a project that will use algorithms to predict posiible landslides.

Nasa plans to use a landslide reporter to work this project you can help by reporting:

report landslides

The Landslide Reporter is on Facebook as well.  Face book landslide reporter

On this Day May 8th 1980

Smallpox is declared eradicated by the WTO.

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TGIF-Darling buds of May…

Filed under: Environment by Kevin Griffiths — Leave a comment
May 4, 2018

River up, buds are out, have a great weekend moment…

 

 

On this Day: May 4rth 2000

Ken Livingston becomes the first Mayor of London.

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Electric car economy

Filed under: Environment, Technology by Kevin Griffiths — Leave a comment
May 3, 2018
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A EV owner taking on power in Merritt File photo KDG

 

BC Hydro says that 1 – 50 cars sold in BC are electric.

According to a report, over the long-term, some electric vehicles are less expensive than comparable gas-powered cars in ownership costs. One of the reasons electric vehicles are cheaper is due to B.C. having among the lowest electricity rates in North America.

This is how popular models stack up in cost of ownership per year (excluding depreciation costs):

  • 2018 Nissan Leaf ($2,848) vs. 2018 Honda Civic ($4,313)
  • 2018 Chevrolet Bolt ($3,299) vs. 2018 Chevrolet Spark ($4,298
  • 2018 Kia Soul EV ($3,109) vs. 2018 Kia Soul gas-powered ($4,845)

Source BC Hydro Power Smart

BC hydro is puffing its emerging market for EVs, ( electric vehicles) they cite 1000 chargers in the province and of them 30 are quick chargers. Another 26 fast chargers are planned.

There is a new quick charger in Merritt BC 2200 block Voght street. The Green highway also has a handful of 200 amp chargers as well as one local motel has a Tesla quick charger and a number of regular chargers.

Hydro says that 95 percent of all car trips in BC are under 30 KM.

( good for 120 volt home charging.) KDG

On this Day: May 3rd 2007

Madeline McCain goes missing from her apartment in Portugal.

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Free Dump Day May 12th 2018, Merritt.

Filed under: Environment by Kevin Griffiths — Leave a comment
April 25, 2018
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Bear deterrent: File Photo KDG

 

 

Free dumping 2018

The 2018 free disposal day is coming up on Saturday May 12th in Merritt. Dumping fees are waived for many items that are hard to dispose of. There is a limit of one pickup load or trailer of similar capacity there are similar events for the 17 communities in the Thompson Nicola Regional District, Check the website for days.

Dump day

The toxic waste pick up will be the same day but at the Merritt Civic Center parking lot:

Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) is material labeled, corrosive, poisonous, ignitable, or toxic. Examples include adhesives, paint thinners, chemicals, cleaners, mercury, antifreeze, herbicides, pesticides, paint, oils, and gasoline. This material should NEVER be put into the garbage. During the Household Hazardous Waste Round-Up, residents are welcome to bring these hard to dispose of items to the event nearest them for safe and environmentally friendly disposal. This event is for residential waste only. Business and commercial hazardous waste will not be accepted.

As an added service, sites that normally accept only bagged household garbage and recycling will also accept furniture, mattresses, scrap metal, tires on rim, and small loads of demolition/construction waste. Residents are reminded to tarp and secure loads before leaving home! Unsecure material is a hazard and fines can be issued for failing to secure loads. As per Bylaw 2465, an unsecured load may be penalized with a fine of up to $100.00 per incidence

The TNRD serves 17 communities in the south central interior of BC. Free dumping days apply to residential non commercial use.

On this Day: April 25th 1859

The Suez Cannel construction is begun by the British and French.

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TGIF- $1.41.9 a liter

Filed under: Environment by Kevin Griffiths — Leave a comment
April 20, 2018
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Broken sign no contract…. File Photo KDG

The price of gasoline is back to the prices of 2016 , a dollar forty one. This with Trans Mountains  pipeline expansion coming under scrutiny and more  pressure.

Happy Earth Day on Sunday. This Earth Day will be the 48th since its start in 1970 over concern about pollution and limited resources with growth being out of control.

 

On this Day: April 20th 1908

Opening match of the New South Wales rugby League.

 

 

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The Osprey are back.

Filed under: Environment, Fauna, Fish, Nicola Naturalists by Kevin Griffiths — Leave a comment
April 19, 2018

The Highway 8 entrance to Merritt BC has a nesting platform on a hydro pole for the use of Osprey. ( to keep them off the power lines) There were 4 of these birds back  two asserted  preference to the platform over looking the river and an old CPR rail bridge, after circling over the area on Sunday, Tuesday fishing ,Wednesday they were collecting sticks to rebuild the nest.

Two Canada Geese had also been looking over the nest site and the species had raised a brood before in the nest however the nest had been cleared and the geese were not interested and don’t build nests.

The area has the joining of two small rivers and has many birds and creatures including domestic Lamas  behind private property fencing.

 

 

On this Day: April 19th 1927

Mae West, movie star , gets 10 days in jail for  obscenity.

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