SHTFblog.com - are YOU ready?

The Maine Blackfly Breeder’s Association recently held their annual convention in Machias, Maine. The topic of this year’s convention, besides crowning the year’s “Blackfly Queen”, was a discussion on ways to harness the wind power generated from a blackfly’s wings. This caught a lot of press as it’s a novel way to find an alternative, renewable energy source that everyone can agree on.

It’s hard to determine whether they’ll actually get this project off the ground or now, or whether they’ll find funding for the initiative, but the prospects are there. I suspect it’s possible that they may seek some type of grant from the EPA or the Department of Energy to conduct more research on this promising idea.

Blackfly breeders have been suffering financially from a decreased demand and more blackflies being found - for free - in the wild, particularly with the lingering wet spring days Maine has encountered. If this initiative is successful it’d mean more jobs would stay in the states as opposed to sending energy money overseas.

What I’m most curious about is how this could be used as an energy source for homeowners. My specific questions:

1. Would there be tax credits for this as there are for solar panels?
2. What would a blackfly energy station look like?
3. What the heck do these things live on? Would I have to stick my arm in the unit to feed them blood?
4. How many watts do you get per 1,000 blackflies?
5. Are they edible?

I have questions about the validity and realistic applications of their proposal, but they discussed it nonetheless.

Lastly, happy April Fool’s Day, and thanks to Mom for the 4/1/08 post idea. Incidentally, they really do have an annual convention and they DID discuss this. Just Google “blackfly wing farm” and see for yourself.

- Ranger Man

BTW: if you want to buy one of their wicked cool shirts, go here.