Environment | The Proprietor Review

Category: Environment

Chargeing station

Filed under: Environment, Government Works, Technology by Kevin Griffiths — 1 Comment

June 25, 2012

The public parking lot on Voght street here in Merritt got a quick charge outlet . The 220 volt charge station with a single outlet will charge an electric car in 4 hours. the regular one twenty home charge can take up to 10 hours.

Chevrolet Volt and other electrics can run up to about 80 kilometers on a full charge.

Some electric also come with a small gasoline engine to charge the battery while running.I talked to a fellow recently that came from Saskatoon with out stopping in an electric pickup so equipped.

Today in history, June 25th, 253

Pope Cornelius is beheaded in execution

Eager To Learn About Electric-Car Charging Stations? Webinar On Thu Explains It All For You (greencarreports.com)
Electric-vehicle drivers in Colorado to get a charge out of new law (denverpost.com)
Coda Automotive teams up with Mr. Electric on electric car charging stations (examiner.com)
Sacramento airport installs electric vehicle charging stations (sacbee.com)
Kroger Installing Electric Car Charging Stations (dfw.cbslocal.com)
Walgreens Adds 13 More EV Charging Stations (solarfeeds.com)
Leaf owner is charged up about going green (jsonline.com)
Standards for electric vehicle charging stations in the works (eco-business.com)
How Fast Are Charging Stations Expected to Grow Nationally in 2012-2013? (chargingstations.com)
Atlanta Chevrolet Dealership Helps Atlanta Stay Green With EV Charging Stations (prweb.com)

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No abatement

Filed under: Crime and punishment, Environment by Kevin Griffiths — Leave a comment

June 21, 2012

The rivers that flow through town are high and some say that watering restrictions are not in effect because of it . A source at the city says that this is not true. The restrictions for watering here in Merritt are still in effect.

Even number homes MWF, odd TTS no watering by sprinklers on Sunday. Watering when done with an attended hose is always legal. Automatic /underground sprinklers 1 -5 Am. These regulations are said to be new in a brochure picked up at the city today.

The regulations are in effect from May 1st to September 30th 2012 and there is a fifty dollar fine for infractions.

Today in history: June 21,1919

The German fleet is scuttled in Scapa Flow off Scotland making the 9 sailors killed in the operation the last casualties of World War One

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TGIF

Filed under: Environment, Technology, Vegtable soup by Kevin Griffiths — Leave a comment

June 8, 2012

Its good that it is friday….

Today in History,June 8th 1987

The Government of New Zealand establishes a nuclear free zone.

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Fire season

Filed under: Environment, Government Works, Sports and Leisure, Workers Safety by Kevin Griffiths — Leave a comment

May 16, 2012

There are the tell tale signs of impending summer around. A tall young fellow in the signature blue heavily pocketed pants with the forestry tan shirt was in the local Starbucks this morning. A fire fighter. He said he was from the Fraser Valley and wore a ball cap with a helicopter on it and Valley Helicopters written about it. He said he was in wild fire suppression.

There is a a fire camp north of here and training school with in days we will expect to see hopefuls running across Voght Park with heavy equipment to qualify for the fire season. Indications are that people are expecting a more pronounced season this year then last.

A fire hazard sign is at the City Fire Hall leaving Merritt towards Highway 8 West,it is operated by the Ministry of Forests and is strategic for those that may be traveling the Fraser Canyon Route. It is sometimes effected by fires.

Today in History, May 16th 2005

Kuwait allows women suffrage.

Province warns of elevated flood risk for Fraser River system (vancouversun.com)
Crews battle fires in southeast Manitoba (cbc.ca)
Forest fire season off to rough start (thesudburystar.com)

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Xeriscape interest

Filed under: Environment, Flora, Vegtable soup by Kevin Griffiths — Leave a comment

May 7, 2012

There is interest in the dynamic of Xeriscape landscaping here. with water restrictions and some metering and a sence that more may be coming people are looking for less maintenance of yards. Using rocks and natural plants and ground cover is taking hold.

The naturalists had a recent presenter on natural plants for British Columbia and eastern Washing ton .Something she referred to as the the great basin desert. The natural plants or those from this area take less water then the ones from the coast.And beyond. as well a yard looks good in ground cover whether its plants such as Bear Berry plants or rocks and crush.

On Saturday the 12th there is another workshop one by Gwen Steele, a Director of the Okanagan Xeriscape Org. It is endorsed by the city but cost 35 dollars you can register by calling the City of Merritt at 250-378-1050

The session is 6 hrs 10 am-4 pm.

Today in history, May 7 1915

A passenger liner is sunk by a German submarine to bring the US into WW 1

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Cameras

Filed under: Environment, Vegtable soup by Kevin Griffiths — Leave a comment

May 1, 2012

The regional district recycle facility is being upgraded to have a camera system today. Workers from the city say its because people that dry wall take their scraps there and put them in the bins.

The cameras are being mounted on a pole a city worker says there will be a fine for putting recycle that does not meet the criteria of the Regional District.

Editors note: what is acceptable for recycle is posted with signage at the site, or on brochures and calendars published by the authority.

Today in history: May 1 1989

Disney MGM studios opens at Disney world in Florida.

Tags: Cameras

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Run off

Filed under: Arts and Culture, Environment, Fauna by Kevin Griffiths — Leave a comment

April 18, 2012

The junction of the Nicola River and the Coldwater River at Highway 8 has three high water dynamics today, someone planted a shovel in the soil in a stand up position as an apparent gauge for the water level, and a knotted rope is suspended over the flow of the river by a thin appendix of board tied off in a tree. A worker was seen to be putting a pizometer down a river side well on the south slope of the river.Pizometers are used to measure flows of water.

Last year there was a large snow pack and visible snow could be seen into August. Mid May through June is characterized by high water in the local rivers.

There is a Dam at the ouflow of Nicola Lake that regulates the Nicola River.

Today in history April 18,1912

705 survivors of the Titanic land at New York Harbour.

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Smart meter

Filed under: Barns and Old Buildings, Enterprize, Environment, Government Works by Kevin Griffiths — Leave a comment

April 10, 2012

On the 1900 block Quilchena Ave, in Merritt there is a couple of businesses in the same building. Around the back are two hydro meters one an analog one a digital.(more later)

At this time there are complaints about higher bills then before the utility put in digital meters. The Hydro in BC operates as a not for profit business and lower rates are mandated by law. When the production and distribution of power is efficient, there becomes a benifit to consumers. They can not take retained earnings from year to year except for projects. If people have been not fairly metered in the past by old analog meters then eventually a rate decrease will come through fairer and less defeated metering.

We know of a couple of techniques the utility is employing to ensure that complaints are legit. Remember that taking any unmetered power, is theft and subject to criminal prosecution.

Today in history, April,10 1983

Born Haig Sutherland Canadian Actor.

B.C. Hydro finally owns up to defective smart meter – but only one (theprovince.com)
First Nation blocks smart meter installation (cbc.ca)
BC Hydro smart meter opponents lose ruling (cbc.ca)
Hydro billing (kevingriffiths.wordpress.com)
BC Utilities Commission rejects smart meter opponents’ complaint (blogs.vancouversun.com)
FBI Says Smart Meter Hacks Are Likely To Spread (it.slashdot.org)
Smart meters not harmful, says B.C. health official (cbc.ca)
FBI: Smart Meter Hacks Likely to Spread (newsworldwide.wordpress.com)
IPv6 and Prepaid Electricity (circleid.com)
Smart meter opt-outs trail public outcry in northern California (blogs.vancouversun.com)

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MInus 22

Filed under: Environment, Workers Safety by Kevin Griffiths — Leave a comment

January 18, 2012

Pictograms of Olympic sports - Field hockey

Image via Wikipedia

The temperature outside is about 20 degrees below celsius maybe up mid 20s were it has a wind chill. A long way from the 30 degrees farenheit from my time here as a young man. It is still cold for people and without clothing dangerous as a frost bite warning is in effect.

Remember that things can escalate in cold weather and danger come out of simple mechanical failures, so be a critical thinker and stay safe.

And do some warm up exercises before going out to shovel snow..

Today in history, January 18, 1886

The modern game called field hockey is born in England.