I was given an article to read recently, by Marc Levy of the Associated Press. It is an excellent piece, which you can read here. He gives us an analysis of the “state” of things as the drop-dead dates for electricity rate hikes approach. Governor Rendell is encouraging the state’s various utility providers to invest in conservation programs targeted to their customers – but there is a push-back from the company managements. The argument goes like this “why make us pay for implementing conservation programs if the consuming public doesn’t give a hoot? Usage keeps going up – why go after us? Go after the consumer!”

Sorry, that doesn’t wash. The electric consumer needs to see his/her utility investing in conservation – it’s a top-down thing too. Energy Star has done wonders to bring consumer-level awareness to the fore, but the utilities (by and large) have just gone their way. As Marc notes in his article, some citizen groups think there is a confict of interest going on – utilities have a vested interest in maintaining strong electric usage – hmm! Sounds like the gas companies and hybrids…

Yes, change at the consumer level needs to be pressed for and encouraged. But the providers of energy are going to have to re-evaluate their business model in the light of a new reality in America – conservation, not consumption.