This week the Arizona Corporation Commission voted in a 4-1 decision to reinstate free power-line extension to new customers within 500 feet of Tucson’s Electric Power Companies distribution system. This decision comes after much uproar from Arizona residents after the long standing “line extension” policy was eliminated for Tucson Electric Power (TEP) and UniSource Electric (UNS Electric) in 2008. To note, in 2007 the Arizona Corporation Commission eliminated a policy of more than 50 years that required Arizona Public Source (APS) to extend power lines at no cost to any development within 1,000 feet and up to $25,000. The reversal of all three of these policies left many landowners with unforeseen costs that reduced the value of their properties.  The Arizona Association of REALTORS® witnessed firsthand the negative impact the reversal of these policies had on our members and homeowners throughout the state. As a result, AAR has worked diligently with members of the public, stakeholders and Commissioners to revert to the pre-2007 line extension policies, for TEP, UNS Electric and APS. As many will recall, we were successful in our endeavors this past January when the Corporation Commission voted 3-2 to reinstate the line extension policy for UniSource Electric, which serves customers in Western Arizona. In regards to APS, we continue to inch closer to a resolution as it pertains to reinstating a line extension policy under a rate case filed last month.  The reversal of Tucson’s Electric Power Co. 500 feet free line extension policy should take full effect in 30 days and will allow those with uncompleted contracts to come back in and benefit from the new rules.  Look for additional Capitol Insider articles as progress is made on the Arizona Power Source line extension rate case.

Futurist Jacque Fresco presents his vision of the future. It includes not only his vision of houseing but social issues and the environment as well as energy, travel, education, and more.   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hc7x79kJ1S0  See the trailer.

I found his vision fascinating. This is a must see.

The system only requires a south facing roof area where to mount you panels. And it Looks Great too!

All the other equipment fits on about a  foot wide area of the grage wall. 

Why buy electricity generated by oil from the middle east when you can make it right at home from the sun for less that you are now paying? It feels great to see your meter spin backwards and know that you are doing your part to eliminate the use of fossil fuels for electricity.

The system is installed, guaranteed  and insured. It is monitored over the internet by the compny. They will know if any problem exists and call you to schedule a free repair visit.

For more info and ordering your free solar system while the rebates last, contact Jerry Germansen at 928-632-3906.

Dang birds! They just cost me $26 worth of pipe and netting. Bird netting specifically.  I attached a simple wood beam across the top of the garden boxes. Then I bent 3/4 inch conduit over the beam and slipped it over rebar into the corners of the box.

The netting is fix in place on the ends. I will not need to have access into the garden from the ends. The side sections lift to reveal my plantings. I have full access to each side for harvesting my veggies and berries. The dang birds don’t.

This should solve the problem  and was a very easy fix. Now I can have my beets and eat them too.

Gardening in Prescott Arizona with our mild weather allows me to plant early and often. I hope to get 5 crops from each square foot space and will plant seasonal plants as summer comes. The Prescott Country Club is an ideal setting. My garden overlooks the golf course’s 11 green and 12th tee. We are back far enough not to have to duck errant  shots.  That is unless I am approaching the 11the green.  But that is another story.

I have had to put a ball retreiver on the end of my putter so I don’t have to bend over to get my ball out of the cup. With so many shots to get it in there any assistance is appreciated. So I raised the garden up like a pool table. I can tend it without getting on my knees. Getting down there isn’t the problem. Getting back up is.

I celebrate(that is a joke) my 63rd birthday in just 2 weeks. The back is not that of a 20 year old any more. So laugh at my raised bed square foot garden if you have to. Your turn will be coming very soon.

www.allofprescott.com  For Property info in Prescott

www.prescottcountryclubsite.com For country club homes

Jerry Germansen 928 632 3906

I spent the last week building a Square Foot Garden raised to a height so I will not need to bend over. It has a 3/4 inch plywood bottom with drainage holes every foot or so.

I will be putting in the soil materials today and dividing the 4 foot by 8 foot areas into 1 foot squares.   I started composting a few weeks ago. It was at the time I was pruning the roses and ornamental grasses in the yard. I added kitchen scraps too. Only add scraps of fruits and veggies plus coffee grounds and their paper filters. And add all the yard waste organic materials too. It is amazing how much of that material can be composted for the garden. It saves landfill space and makes a great soil. It gets me off the couch and active too.

The Square Foot Garden is an interesting concept. It was developed by Mel Bartholomwe  years ago. He has written a couple of books about it and even had a Public TV show featuring his efforts and results. This garden is expected to produce 5 times what a regular single row garden will do because of the design, layout, and soil.

The soil is the real key. The garden is only 6 inches deep ( I made mine 8 inches for good luck).  It is a mix of 1/3 compost, 1/3 peet moss, and 1/3 vermiculite. You will never have to fertilize it or till it. It will remain loose and moist. I do have an irrigation line right in the garden area that I will hook up in a week or 2. Until then I’ll water with a hose. This soil mix will take much less water too. It is built from water retaining parts.

I can start planting now.  Beets, cabbage, spinach, radish, potato,  mint, and onion will take any remaining morning  frost rather well. I’ll start some now and then again in 2 weeks so I have a continuous supply for an extended time.

Trips to the grocery store will be ,much less expensive and fewer. I’ll have organic daily fresh veggies and fruits all the time. It’s a great way to have a healthy diet and a fulfilling pass-time too.

I’ll post more as the garden takes shape and make some observations and suggestions. Until then, keep composting!

Negative Aspects:

• Requires a cooperative effort between neighbors to conserve water.
• One party could be viewed as using a disproportionate share of the water.
• There is less self freedom
• Requires collecting of electric costs and periodic maintenance costs.

Although a cooperative effort is required, conservation is good for the well and the community. Disproportionate use can be accounted for by metering usage and charging for the water as part of the maintenance fund for future repairs or upgrades. This may include drilling deeper in the event of a well going dry or a new well. Electric costs can be metered. A separate electric meter can be installed on the well and direct payments arranged with the utility company from the maintenance fund.

Positive Aspects:

• Reduced initial cost per household
• Guaranteed water if an existing well is shared
• Monthly budgeting toward maintenance
• Shared costs of maintenance
• Well monitored for operation by multiple parties

Weather there is 1 straw in the ground or 5 straws in the ground, the same aquifer is being used for drawing all the water. There is not a lot of difference having more than one household on a well.

A good shared well agreement prepared with legal assistance should contain the following:

• The legal description of the well site and waterline easements.
• How monthly costs and the maintenance reserve will be collected and any cap amount?
• How the electric bill is paid?
• Is the usage metered or is the usage electric split equally?
• When does payment begin if one party is a vacant lot owner?
• How are decisions about maintenance and upgrades reached?
• How is the agreement amended and by what percentage of the participants?
• What happened if one party does not contribute?
• What happens if one party vacates the well and drills his own?
• What happens if municipal water becomes available?
• Does the maintenance reserve stay with the property in the event of a sale?
• Is there a hold harmless clause?

Shared well agreements can be arranged for up to 13 properties. In Arizona 14 or more shared well properties are legally considered a water company which requires monitoring for water quality standards and reporting.

All this may appear to be complicated. However, once an agreement is in place, the benefiting parties can save a lot of money and have a good water source. These agreements are particularly valuable in areas of spotty water when a good well is found.

I personally lived on a 4 party shared well and enjoyed the benefits.

Some of the older homes are a great value. Purchase a home that has served its purpose and bring it up to date with a remodel adding Green Features. This will cut your cost of living and allow you access to some of the best lots. I just remodeled a home we owned as a rental for over 10 years and now have a golf course home with all efficient utilities and appliances. This is going to be our retirement home and the cost of living there will be very low. Over the next few months we are adding a solar system to the home. The out-of-pock cost is zero! We will lower our utility bill from $150 per month to $35 per month and add an $85 equipment lease. The overall result is a 25% lower utility bill, a more comfortable living space, and the pride of being Green. Contact me for information on the zero cost solar system.

If you are a golfer, the Prescott Country Club is the perfect place to live. We can play year round on a course that is affordable and is has mature trees. The well managed and groomed course offers a challenge but is not too difficult for a duffer like me. Other golf courses in the area are also available for open-to-the-public play.

The Prescott Country Club is open to the public. Memberships are very affordable. Both golf and general memberships as well as pool and tennis are available. The restaurant offers lunch and dinner in our mountain setting.

The Prescott Country Club location is excellent. Shopping in Prescott Valley is only 10 minutes away. Healthcare options include the 3 hospitals in the Quad-City area and the many facilities an hours away in the Phoenix-Scottsdale metro area including Mayo Clinic. We have 3 colleges in the local area.

Outdoor Recreation in Central Arizona has always been exceptional. The mountain lakes and hiking trails are close. The ability to get to quad ride trails brings the back country right home. We often take rides to the rivers, mountain, and just into town with a group of friends. It’s a super way to spend a day or more getting away from it all. The neighborhood is also a good place for a morning walk right on the streets. Or take a walk down the wash and see a little more of nature.

Jerry.Germansen@searchonprescott.com or call 928 632 3906 Living and Working in the Prescott Country Club

One of the wealthiest people in America has put together a program offering Zero Down Payment Solar that reduces you monthly electric power bill and locks in your costs while over riding APS rate increases. Why? Because he believes that with today’s technology everyone should be able to use solar to power their home regardless of their ability to pay the initial cost. You don’t need to pay and wait for the rebates and tax credits. The company does.

Systems are sized to fit your consumption. They are designed specifically for your home. Your monthly power costs go down immediately.

If you are interested in saving money monthly and reducing your carbon footprint, now is the time to act while rebates and tax incentives are still available in Arizona.

We need to get off our dependence on foreign oil and reduce the need to go to war over it once and for all.

We are installing a system on our home and will save thousands over the life of the program. It feels good to know you are doing something that is right for your finances and our planet. At this price there in no reason not to do it. With 300 days of pure sunshine there is no reason not to do it.

Start by calling me to get moving toward energy independence.

Jerry Germansen

Your GREEN REALTOR

928.632.3906

Jerry.Germansen@SearchonPrescott.com

The program has beed places in businesses in Prescott, Prescott Valley, and Phoenix, Arizona. We are going coast to coast with our benefits package including not only employees but their friends and family too.

See why other businesses have embraced this employee benefit at a time when businesses are struggling to provide employees with compensation they deserve.

Just call C’Ann at 928.848.1818 and see what we can do for you.