Energy conservation is back in style

It looks as if energy conservation is back in style. There’s nothing like rising fuel prices to make us think harder about when and how we use energy.

The hurricane season has taken its toll on some of the nation’s systems for reaching, refining and transporting our oil and gas supplies. In the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, TV news shows carried images of vehicles lined up at gas stations and plastic bags on pump handles. If you live in central or south Mississippi, you may have spent hours waiting for your turn at the pump.

Demand for petroleum products continues to rise against a supply that sometimes cannot meet it entirely. So we have seen prices rise at the gas pump, which affects any goods and services whose delivery relies on transportation by cars and trucks, trains and planes, even fishing boats. All of us also are seeing prices rise for the fuels that run appliances and systems in our homes, farms and businesses.

These dynamics naturally cause us to adjust and manage our personal use of energy as best we can.

But energy conservation never went out of style in our business. Throughout the year, and especially during the peak heating and cooling seasons, this publication strives to give you tips and advice to help you control energy costs by lowering your home’s energy use. In addition, your electric power association daily helps members pinpoint their home’s biggest energy users and devise ways to reduce use.

It’s so easy to forget how much we rely on electricity to keep warm. It may be a sunny and warm March day when you receive the bill for the energy you used in February. But that bill reflects the cold, wet (and in some parts, icy) February weather we had in Mississippi, when heating units worked overtime to keep us warm through the night.

As the price of energy fluctuates, and as the technology of appliances and vehicles changes accordingly, electric power associations will continue to pay attention to smart energy use.

Why? It just makes sense. It makes sense to consumer-members, considering that you own the utility that supplies your electric power. It’s in your interest to make sure your own plans — and by extension those of the electric power association — include conservative ways of using electricity and all other forms of energy you pay for.

Whether for larger customers, who are always looking for ways to improve energy management, or the residential member who wants advice on the smartest, most efficient appliances, we offer services that can help you use energy wisely.

Some of us remember when the nation’s highway speed limit was lowered to 55 mph. Others may also remember the “oil embargo” of the 1970s and the 45-mpg VW Rabbit diesel automobile, the rising popularity of wood-burning stoves and furnaces, and President Carter’s plea to turn the thermostat down a few degrees in winter and up a few degrees in summer.

We’re not likely to see a return to those specific events and trends, but we are likely to see a stronger emphasis on conserving energy, not only in our own consumption practices, but also in how industry designs and manufactures vehicles, buildings, community infrastructure and appliances.

Such a trend can only benefit everyone.

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