Off the Grid

Off the Grid is a comic story which appeared in The Simpsons Annual 2011

Plot

Homer receives a power bill which is so expensive that he has a protest seizure. Later Homer tells Marge that he won't pay it. Marge doesn't think they can pay it. Homer suggests they could dip into Bart's college fund, at which they burst out laughing. Lisa tells Bart about a documentary called Planet on Probation, but he pretends to be asleep. Lisa stars cutting costs by unplugging plugs and turning down the thermostat saying that 'for every one degree lower on the thermostat saves 5% on the heating bill'. Homer then turns it all the way off. Homer then says they will have no heat and no electricity. The next morning Homer wakes up late and has to cycle to work instead of drive. That Sunday in Church, Marge learns that she has inspired others to turn their heating and electric off as well. At Burns' Manor, Mr. Burns is outraged about people turning off their power so asks 'those Hollywood whiz kids' to create an infomercial. Eventually the Simpsons have to turn the power on to watch Planet on Probation but it was replaced by Mr. Burns' infomericial.