Waiting For Light To Come On When will we realize the need to conserve?

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Waiting For Light To Come On When will we realize the need to conserve? John King Saturday, January 13, 2001

©2001 San Francisco Chronicle

URL: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2001/01/13/MNC20555.DTL

With apologies to Art Hoppe, the late great Chronicle satirist who if he were still alive would thank the stars for our current energy fiasco, follow me into the home of Joe and Jennifer Watt, the kind of folks who always leave a light on for you -- and for everyone else.

The open door sent a gust of warm air spilling into the cold January night. Joe Watt wore a muscle shirt as he greeted me; his wife, Jennifer, was attractive in her halter top, with a smile that showed off a line of dazzling white teeth.

"After every meal or snack, I rev up the electric toothbrush," she explained. "That's one or two dollars in extra electric charges each month, but the expense is worth it."

I was put on the Watts' trail by a source who works for a Texas power supplier that must remain nameless. "These are our kind of Californians," he said happily. "Thanks to good suburbanites like them, our profits are up 400 percent."

Maybe so -- but how does one mere family in San Ramon rack up monthly bills of $1,200? Eager to learn, I arranged an interview. And as soon as I pulled into the driveway, I started to see how: Twelve security lights snapped on.

The Watts take pride in their lifestyle, no matter how it might be viewed by frugal environmentalists.

"We did the conservation thing once, but it got to be a drag after a month or two," Joe shrugged. "Why should government or PG&E tell us how to live our lives? What's wrong with a television in every room and an aquarium in every wall?"

Indeed, a 55-gallon aquarium is one of the highlights of the Watts' bedroom,

which resembles something you'd see in a 1970s James Bond film. It's the first stop on our tour, and features not only the fish tank but a king-size water bed, covered by an electric blanket. The background music from the room's stereo system is as discreet as the 12 small lava lamps that adorn various bureaus and mantels.

According to the energy calculator found at PG&E's Web site, this room alone could add $600 to the yearly electric bill. I asked the couple if the expense was wise.

Jennifer purred. Joe growled softly. I changed the subject.

The home included vaulted ceilings, six televisions, a 20-year-old freezer in the garage that the Watts keep stocked with meat. Childless, they converted two bedrooms into his-and-hers home offices, each equipped with a computer, fax machine and laser copier. Everything is kept running 24 hours a day, just in case there's a need.

"Be prepared -- that's our motto," Jennifer said. "Besides, my time is important. I can't waste precious seconds waiting for the computer to boot up."

The kitchen was jammed with waffle irons and portable broilers and electric frying pans. No toaster oven or microwave, though. If Joe wants to heat a bagel or warm up coffee, "that's what our oven is for."

But what truly lifted the Watts' wattage to amazing levels -- nay unbelievable -- was the way they transformed their yard.

For starters, the landscaping makes extensive use of thirsty annuals that require constant moisture to thrive. Yet there are no trees, nada, zilch. "We love our house," Joe said. "We like to show it off."

This also means that nothing blocks out the summer sun, which in San Ramon can be ruthless.

"Without air-conditioning, I don't know what we'd do," Joe admitted cheerfully.

Skeptics might think the endless air-conditioning and/or heating would make for clammy stagnant air. Not so. The Watts make it a point to keep windows open on all four sides of the house.

"Fresh air's real important to us," Jennifer explained. "If that means ratcheting the heat up this time of year to keep things at 78 degrees, so be it."

The final touch is found in the backyard. Not only does the hot tub bubble away invitingly, the swimming pool is kept heated 12 months a year, 24 hours a day. The hot water sent steam floating romantically up into the air, illuminated by the mood lighting on the backyard's floral displays.

Even the Watts conceded that the heated pool was a bit much. "Still, this is the Bay Area," Joe pointed out. "You never know when the thermometer might jump into the 60s, even the 70s. Perfect pool weather, know what I mean?"

The tour complete, I thanked the Watts for the hospitality. I also asked what they thought about the threat of higher energy prices.

"Better not happen," Joe glowered. "I'm just trying to live my life. Don't cramp my style."

Maybe you should cut back, I suggested. Turn off hall lights occasionally. Unplug a few televisions. Live lightly on the land.

Jennifer rolled her eyes.

"And high gas prices make people buy fuel-efficient cars," she smirked. Then she looked over my shoulder out to the driveway. "Say, what kind of mileage does your new Ford Excursion get, anyway?"

On that sour note, we parted.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/chronicle/archive/2001/01/13/MNC20555.DTL&type=printable

-- Martin Thompson (mthom1927@aol.com), January 13, 2001

Answers

California residents urged to cut power

Saturday, January 13, 2001 By Associated Press

West Coast governors have urged residents to cut their electricity use by as much 10 percent while federal, state and corporate officials try to solve the region's power crisis. The secretaries of the U.S. Energy and Treasury departments were expected to meet Saturday with the chief executives of California's two largest utilities and several state officials by video conference to discuss proposals, The New York Times reported.

Wholesale power prices have increased fivefold in California since last summer, accompanied by a series of drops in the state's power reserves due partly to power plants being down for maintenance.

On Thursday, power reserves in California dipped below 2 percent after a storm cut production at a key nuclear power plant.

The Independent System Operator, which manages most of the state's power grid, said electricity supplies had rebounded from the Stage 3 emergency by Friday but were still tight.

Govs. Gray Davis of California, John Kitzhaber of Oregon and Gary Locke of Washington said Friday that they would urge their residents to cut electricity demand 7 to 10 percent, try to reduce power use by their state governments by at least 10 percent, and look into joining forces to buy energy-efficient products for state and local agencies to get through the crisis.

Davis and California's two largest investor-owned utilities have pointed fingers at energy wholesalers, saying they have exacerbated the crisis by taking advantage of the tight supplies for their own profit.

Pacific Gas & Electric Co. and Southern California Edison say they have lost more than $9 billion because of wholesale price increases and the state's 1996 deregulation law that froze rate hikes. The utilities, which won permission to raise rates, said the temporary increases approved by the Public Utilities Commission weren't enough and have warned they could go bankrupt if something isn't done.

Davis, Kitzhaber and Locke said in a written statement that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission should impose immediate wholesale price controls.

"The federal government must take up its responsibility to prevent the chaos that threatens to engulf the entire western electricity system," the governors said.

Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., said she would propose legislation to give the U.S. energy secretary authority to cap skyrocketing wholesale electricity prices in 11 western states. It would let the secretary impose a temporary wholesale price cap if there is "unjust pricing" and would remain in effect until prices stabilized, said Howard Gantman, the senator's spokesman.

"We think people will listen to this," Gantman said. "People in other states are realizing that how California goes, so goes the West."

California officials have also been attempting to negotiate arrangements for the state to buy power under multiyear contracts at rates it considers acceptable. The Times cited unnamed participants in the meetings as saying they hoped to have contracts signed by the end of the month for periods up to 15 years.

Davis released a letter Friday to U.S. Energy Secretary Bill Richardson spelling out how California would cut electricity use during peak periods by at least 5 percent by Tuesday.

Among the steps: shutting off lights and ventilation systems in state buildings after work hours, interrupting pumping by the State Water Project and an "aggressive public outreach campaign" to cut electricity use among the general public.

Five other Western governors, meanwhile, criticized California's efforts to solve its energy woes, saying the state must step up efforts to produce more regional power.

"California is not an electrical island," the governors of Arizona, Nevada, Montana, Utah and Wyoming wrote in a Friday letter to Davis.

http://www.enn.com/news/wire- stories/2001/01/01132001/ap_energy_41322.asp

-- Martin Thompson (mthom1927@aol.com), January 13, 2001.


If just four states - Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, and Colorado - have enough wind power to take care of the entire country, why don't we have more windmill farms?

Certainly the environmentalists can't object to these.

-- LillyLP (lillyLP@aol.com), January 13, 2001.


Lily-there were lots of"windfarms" in Calif in the late 70's encouraged by tax credits. In the 80's the Reagan administration and the congress decided they were a boondoggle,and removed all incentives which was a shame,as they are a"green" form of energy. From what I hear there is talk of a major push in the upper midwest,that farmers can make more selling their "air rights" than growing row crops. But I think the whole hangs on what the large corporations consider profitable,maybe now with the shortages these alternative sources will be promoted.

-- h (dryfarmer@hotmail.com), January 13, 2001.

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