Off-the-Gridder Fighting ‘The Man’
June 14, 2006 by admin
Filed under Green Living
In Cecil, Pennsylvania (southwest of Pittsburgh) an off-the-gridder is fighting an interesting battle with more than one of his local utilities. 76 year old William Williams has already done jail time for cutting the guy wires and digging up the anchors that Allegheny Power keeps trying to place on his property to secure a nearby utility pole. He’s been charged three times now and after each conviction, refuses to pay restitution and fines which results in his incarceration.
William lives completely off the grid. He collects rainwater via his roof gutters and filters it for his water. He has a septic system. Solar panels placed in the windows of his home juice up a rechargeable battery for limited electrical needs and he uses propane, kerosene and wood for heating in the winter. He stores his perishable food in the cool basement, never watches television but does listen to a battery-powered radio. Absolutely no wires or pipes connect his home to the world at large.
From an article in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette…
A self-proclaimed arch enemy of utility companies, he said, he stands determined to show the world how to stretch a dollar, reduce reliance on foreign oil and live the simple life. He also vows to fight for the right to refuse to use any public utilities.
And if the power company wasn’t enough of a hassle, officials from the local public sewer system are also insisting that he connect his home to the sewers. The threat of a lien on his property if he refuses is being held over his head.
You’d think that once you made it to the age of 76, you’d have earned the right to be left alone if you weren’t bothering anyone else. I hope William wins his chance soon.
Here’s that article from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
[via The Good Human]
I read about this man before, and I really admire what he’s doing and how he’s not letting them companies push him around. It’s pretty interesting too. If he can do without public utilities, does that mean it’s possible for the rest of us to do the same?
I think it depends on the situation, Lynn. I’m in a rural region where most folks have private wells and septic systems, so power and telephone are the only links to the utilities. It’s a lot different in urban and suburban locations where more services are provided by them.
it is important to realise that what this man, William Williams, is doing is what every one needs to be doing.
This has to be the most ridiculous issue I have ever read. Why in world would any company have the time or energy to deal with this man. He apparently is self sufficient and happy in his later years. Let me guy be. You would think that the utility companies have other major issues to deal with. Get real. You mean to tell me that the guy wire cant be re-routed? You mean to tell me that he can have a lien placed on his property for *NOT* connecting to the sewer system. If he meets codes for a personal *shitter* then leave the guy alone. This is absolutely rediculous that these companies continue to bother him. Furthermore, the judge is just fucking stupid to put this man in jail. For god’s sake, he lives on Social Security. Don’t you think that is punishment enough. AMEN!