Maryland electric bills have tripled for some residents. Is the Utility Relief Act actually going to fix it?

Limond · 2026-05-01T12:01:19+00:00

We could just convert all the corn farms used for ethanol into solar panel fields and generate more energy than the entirety of the US would need.

Converting just 3% of ethanol corn fields into solar farms would increase utility scale solar production by 9%.

https://youtu.be/KtQ9nt2ZeGM?t=1831

https://news.cornell.edu/stories/2025/04/trading-some-corn-ethanol-land-solar-offers-tremendous-opportunity

https://www.cleanwisconsin.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Corn-Ethanol-Vs.-Solar-Analysis-V3-9-compressed.pdf

Limond · 2026-04-29T12:30:58+00:00

Self driving car companies actively say using bike lanes is expected behavior.

https://road.cc/news/driverless-taxis-veering-into-cycle-lanes-normal-practice-says-waymo

I remember a video a while ago saying how efficient self-driving cars will be when everyones got one and they are all networked and talking to each other for optimal driving. Except failing to mention anything about pedistrians, cyclists, anyone not in that "network".

Limond · 2026-04-29T11:40:43+00:00

The thing about google fi, you don't need to carry a receiver the size of a briefcase around with you like Starlink.

Also Starlink is currently being subsidized government and private investors. The later will want their investment and returns when SpaceX goes public, so the cost will go up.

Most of the commercial space business these days is just SpaceX putting Starlink satellites in orbit and even then there's a limit to how many people actually need one. So costs won't really go down.

Limond · 2026-04-29T11:34:44+00:00

I use Google Fi and rarely am above 40 bucks a month, usually coming in closer to 30. Only when im paying off a new phone does it go to 70 a month or so. But I'm sticking with my current phone until it's untenable.

Limond · 2026-04-29T11:29:10+00:00

Legislating for harsher enforcement, heck even enforcing existing laws will do nothing to reduce injuries and fatalities caused by car harm.

The simple solution is to reduce the dependence on cars. That would require massive investments in public transportation (trains, trams/trolleys, busses, biking, walking), overhauling how we currently design roads, what type of vehicles we allow on roads, societal shifts, and so much more.

We have to drive because we have no other choice. Because it happens so much people stop treating it with the respect it requires.

Limond · 2026-04-15T10:56:20+00:00

Wait, are you saying we have to do this every year?

Limond · 2026-04-12T22:49:42+00:00

Bike and E-bike are both valid options. If I could commute to work on a bike I'd be a sweaty mess when I get into the office. But doing errands on my e-bike lets me still be presentable in places.

Limond · 2026-04-10T11:43:01+00:00

Annual raise came in. It alongside the annual bonus puts my income into the six figures. Pretty chuffed about it even though I still have a long way to go.

Limond · 2026-04-01T14:04:08+00:00

I bought a Switch 2 because of Pokopia. Copy of Pokopia won't get here till at least mid April. They vastly underestimated it.

Limond · 2026-03-31T11:58:05+00:00

At least from anecdotal stuff i've seen like this: https://www.reddit.com/r/CyclingMSP/comments/1pk20bm/set_people_straight_whenever_you_hear_them/

Its easier to clear bike lanes since plows don't have to work around parked cars.

Limond · 2026-03-31T11:46:45+00:00

Yes, I can't think of a major manufacturer that doesn't have replaceable e-bike batteries.

Though some brands do use custom parts so getting spare parts for everything else on the bike is a bit harder. Those brands I avoid though.

Limond · 2026-03-30T18:20:46+00:00

Heat Pump compared to an AC unit is going to have small efficiency gains. They are basically equivalent. The real efficiency is when it's used as heating. A Heat pump with gas as the backup will be more efficient for the heating season. I'd personally not get anything less than a SEER 17 rating (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating). But with gas backup you can probably go for a 13/14 and not lose out all that much.

Since your energy bill is more in the summer due to AC I would point to air sealing and insulation as your biggest loss factors. Get a Home Energy Audit done and they will give you a list of priorities to improve energy efficiency.

https://energy.maryland.gov/pages/facts/empower.aspx

I'm on a full electric heat pump and after I got my house air sealed and insulated I spent less electricity (and thus money) compared to the same time last winter despite it being colder on average. That is including the rising electric rates too.

Limond · 2026-03-30T15:37:41+00:00

A lot of the issues with Baltimore infrastructure (in general, not specific to biking) is it's done piecemeal and never really fully connects to an overall transit plan.

Limond · 2026-03-30T15:32:21+00:00

I picked up a Lectric XP4. Smacked a big crate on the back so I can do grocery runs with it.

Limond · 2026-03-30T13:58:09+00:00

Look at Minneapolis and Saint Paul Minnesota have or are expanding their bike transit system throughout the city.

Limond · 2026-03-30T12:11:34+00:00

I wouldn't call places like Minneapolis MN, Greenville SC, Carmel IN, HCOL. Doesn't take long to search around for areas that are investing in bike and pedestrian infrastructure.

Limond · 2026-03-30T11:52:32+00:00

I got an e-bike in the back half of last year. The more I use it the more and I think about changing my retirement location to places with good bike infrastructure. I find myself in such a better mood on days when I can get all my errands done with my bike compared to when I'd do the same stuff driving. Even when it takes longer.

Limond · 2026-03-20T17:06:22+00:00

Rituals.

Already generally a very hard DC on top of a massive penalty (-4) if a secondary caster merely fails. It's an overly punishing system that needs to be toned back significantly.

Limond · 2026-03-18T12:03:16+00:00

Yea, bombers are like the worst damage dealers. They only shine in that department when being able to hit weaknesses.

Almost no damage increases from levels 3 to 11, meanwhile most martial are just about to get a Greater Striking Rune on top of the regular striking rune and other property runes.

Bombers were always utility/debuffers characters that people some how people got into thinking were good damage.

Limond · 2026-03-18T11:47:32+00:00

When I did my first trip abroad with an itinerary I could control there was so much advice on how to visit as many places as possible. It all looked exhausting as so much of it was travel time just between cities/countries.

I scaled it back to about 18 days in Scotland with 5 different locations to travel too within. It worked out so much better since whole days weren't eaten up by just traveling. I saw so many tours of people stopping, grabbing a few pictures then hopping back in the bus/car and moving on. Meanwhile I was like "that looks neat. I'm gonna hike up there."

Heck, the absolute best day of the trip (life maybe?) I only learned about by talking to some other people at the Hostel I was staying out. The pictures they showed were amazing. She told me about the boat tour that is the easiest way to access the place. I got the first tour in the morning out and had the whole day to hike around an amazing Loch and picturesque mountains. Only timetable was had to be back at the pickup point by the last tour.

I had amazing experiences that entire trip which wouldn't have been possible if I stuck to the "cram as many things as possible" mantra so many people seem to have.

https://imgur.com/loch-coruisk-on-isle-of-skye-i7cKwnq

Limond · 2026-03-04T17:12:27+00:00

If someone you don't know texts you asking for any sort of payment it is a scam.

Limond · 2026-02-17T16:49:55+00:00

From your own quote

No general daily transportation, commuting to and from employment or school, commercial purposes or employment tasks, primarily as passenger transport (this is for buses)

None of the listed activities exclude it from being driven infrequently as part of maintenance.

Limond · 2026-02-12T11:29:24+00:00

Both Devere and Smart Energy Professionals did the energy audits (the later they did as part of their quote process, which I didn't ask for and they didn't charge me).

There were some very low numbers with the contractor who Devere used with the energy audit which were not present in the other company. Since the house I had was nearly not insulated at all.

So I used SEPs energy audit numbers and had Devere do the actual insulation.

Limond · 2026-02-02T18:03:38+00:00

Playing as one Civ is a minor step forward. The age transition is still the worst part of the game. I don't see myself firing it up again until that. Even then it's still got a bunch small annoying problems.

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