Here is an excerpt from my upcoming new book, titled, The Energy Merchants, due out in 2024:

Chapter 1

Running, the desert grasses splaying against my legs, I enjoyed the feeling of freedom and strength, the modicum of peace, and the illusion of invincibility. Jogging was not necessarily as disruptive as the word implied.

I was in the desert near Albuquerque, the earth was red sand, soft and forgiving beneath my steps.

Back at the hotel, I showered and then prepared for the seminar. I was one of the keynote speakers. The gathering of salespeople was good sized but not gigantic. We were energy merchants. 

I got the call from Bernie after reviewing my notes. 

He was emphatic, “Dale, We’ve got to sell while the selling is good. This is the best deal for California for energy. 

“Why are we in New Mexico?” 

“It was a cheap space and a beautiful environment. The best way to get y’all out here and fill you up with knowledge so you can help people save money.”

“Bernie, I shouted over the staticky line, what happens when this thing is over and it gets more expensive to buy energy?”

“Dale, the utilities are raising their rates by maybe 25% or more over the next 2 years. Everybody in California is going to need an electric car by 2035 and many jurisdictions aren’t even allowing gas service anymore.”

“I’d heard some of those things  individually, but I never heard them all said together and I never realized it was all true.” I was shocked. “Why would our environmentally conscious government and people allow all that to happen?”

Exactly, that’s what people are going to be asking. No one really understands this, it is hypocritical and unfortunate that all these things are happening when the utilities are going to make it more expensive to go solar and raise their rates immensely at the same time.”

“So it’s all about the money?”

“Yes, so it would seem, and we’ve got to find a way to make solar affordable, but it’s not going to be peachy keen like right now, so we’ve simply got to get people into the fold in time. Yes we’ll make money that way, but they’ll save more money that way. It’s a win-win.”

“I can see that.”

“Anyone who’s left behind is still going to have to get on the bandwagon, but it’s not going to be quite as sweet.”

“Well then what are we going to sell them on ?” I asked. 

“We’re going to have to find new ways to try to make it affordable and helpful. It’s a product people need and want, and so we have to find a way to deliver it so that it’s helpful for them, and that will help us to keep afloat and do well also. Make sense?”

“So we’re not going to fall off the map?” Bernie was making my head spin with all this new information. 

“I don’t think so, Dale. Nobody knows what’s really going to happen, but when the state changes things up, it’s going to be a new ball game, the scenarios will all change, and we’ll have to see what happens.”

“So you’re telling me that they’re going to turn the tables on California for real?”

It is unfortunate, tragic really, that five people will change the fate of forty million Californians with regard to energy. If there had been a popular, or even a legislative vote, at least half the people would have been happy, this way nobody’s happy.”

“Somebody got their way.  Someone always does, Bernie.”

“Well the utilities are happy anyway, and maybe some people got paid off.” Bernie admitted. 

“So I guess I should tell all my friends and family too?.” 

Bernie emphatically agreed, “Absolutely Dale, this is a money-making proposition for us right now, but it’s a bad thing overall because all  Californians are going to get hit with higher costs from PG&E and at the same time, a lot of people are going to be compelled to go solar, buy electric cars, lose their gas service on new homes, and be required to get solar for any new construction, so we want to help everybody we can.”

“The government is wacked!” I exclaimed. 

“No argument there…. We will make a ton of money for a short while , but then what will happen to the industry?”

“Bernie,  it sounds like killing the golden goose.”

“It kind of is, but solar will still be a big deal, and people will still need it and want it.”

“So why aren’t you going to speak at the thing?”

“You’re the one they all know and listen to; I’m the big cheese. The big cheese sits quietly in the background and lets the talker address the people.”

“I don’t know any CEO that does that.”

“Well, I’m not your average CEO.” Bernie said with finality.

Here is a link to my Amazon Author Page

(again, The Energy Merchants is slated for a 2024 release)