A big focus of RSS has become various methods of alternative, independent, earth-friendly power. The Energy and Power Tributary has been doing some amazing research and has produced some equally amazing results.

Our first steps towards power independence were some solar panels, a few deep-cycle marine batteries and a power inverter. Since that fledging set-up, we now have 5 batteries, a modified sine-wave inverter, 6 new solar panels, and a wood burning stove made from recycled steel drums and a simple, cheap conversion kit.

We still need an additional 5 to 10 deep-cycle marine batteries. But at $60 a piece, that will have to wait until we have more money. Soon we will be producing our first batch of bio-diesel — an effective, clean burning, vegetable oil based fuel.

Plans for alternative power workshops are being considered for the future, as what we are doing has sparked the interest of many people in this city. Becoming independent from the local power grid and petroleum fuels is something that is possible and will help to slow the gradual decay of the environment. It may take a good amount of cash and even more elbow grease, but in time, a set up of our own may pay for itself and give us peace of mind.

Cooking food and heating RSS without gas is a very real thing. The Power Tributary has been researching various ways of building wood burning stoves for both of these purposes. One of the more clever designs for cooking stoves was made by Casey, Ruby and Olive, who constructed them using metal cans and a pair of tin snips. More on that and other methods in upcoming newsletters.

The Garden Tributary has formed and has been busy coming up with plans on what we will be planting next season. We hope to be able to grow our own supply of vegetables, mushrooms and herbs and still have enough to sell to the local food co-op here in Memphis.

We still have two more steps to take until we, hopefully, get our use variance zoning — approval by the LUC (Land Use Control) and the Board of Commissions. We had our final meetings with the local neighborhood committees and they have given us their endorsements. These next two steps might not be finalized until spring, so we have a good amount of waiting to do.

View past progress pages here
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