The US Air Force has developed a gadget that will give troops operating in the field access to electricity. Just hook it onto a power line:
An engineer at an Air Force research lab in Dayton, Ohio, has figured out how to harness electricity from power lines via a system called RAPS. RAPS is a connecting device that’s attached to the end of a long cable. When the device is thrown over a power line, a blade at the end pierces the power line and completes the circuit that brings electricity down to the soldier. And that can mean a lot in the desert or jungle.
http://science.dodlive.mil/2010/06/29/the-bat-hook-harvesting-energy-from-power-lines-labtv/ via OhGizmo! | Photo: US Department of Defense
1. if you can find a power line, you will probably be standing on a ROAD..
2. Make a Good connection, then have a GIANT transformer to change it from 50K volts. Unless you are standing at someones HOUSE, this could be SHOCKING.
In Québec, there are thousands of kilometers of power lines between the power dams and the cities. They are all situated deep in the woods.
It's 735K V, but throw in a couple resistors and you're good to go :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kVXi_0H_ZzM&NR=1
Nothing new, just a new toy to do it with.
America has a very confusing legal system.