PUBLISHED 7-30-2006

The chomping noise you are hearing is from Californians chewing their way through an increasing number of megawatts.

The record-breaking heat wave and the resulting power outages have focused Californians once again on their electricity power supply.

Not since the fiasco of deregulation in the early 2000s and electricity generators’ cynical manipulation of the state’s energy supply have Californians been so concerned about keeping their lights on and air conditioners running.

And like the earlier energy crisis, the causes of concern are many and complicated. The solutions require everyone — customers, energy companies and regulators — to work together.

Now is not the time for fingerpointing and blame-laying. Now is the time to recognize that we must all do our part to stretch California’s energy supplies.

Today it is a heat wave spiking use and shortages. Tomorrow it could be a Middle East oil embargo.

Energy companies must reasonably expand their generation capacity. Customers must realize that with every new plant comes increased costs that are passed along in increased rates.

While California regulators have approved the construction of 18 new power plants, only two are under construction. Companies want assurances — usually that means long-term contracts with utilities — that power from expensive plants will be sold at a profit.

While power plant construction is stalled by these business considerations, the state’s population is growing. California is expected to add 11 million new residents by 2030.

Skyrocketing housing prices are forcing many of these new residents into inland areas — away from the cooler coast — in search of more affordable housing.
 
Builders point out that new homes, even those in hot inland communities, are more energy efficient. But they also tend to be larger and equipped with more energy-consuming amenities.

A decade ago, a megawatt of electricity was considered to be enough to power 1,000 homes. Today industry officials estimate it will power only 650.

Clearly there is the need to generate more energy. But that’s not the only answer.
The California Energy Commission and industry groups are studying a wide range of conservation measures that will stretch supplies and save consumers money.

One study, which is expected to be completed next July, focuses on urban “heat islands” — where natural vegetation is replaced by rooftops and asphalt, raising the temperatures and energy consumption.

The federal Environmental Protection Agency is proposing city cooling strategies that include using reflective colors on rooftops, lightening the color of road surfaces and increasing the planting of trees.

Government agencies, homebuilders, businesses and consumers must embrace conservation strategies. They make sense — common sense and financial sense.

The heat wave that is gripping the state, causing power outages and pinching Californians where it hurts — in their wallets — has a silver lining.

It has placed heat to our feet, making us realize we must do more to generate more electricity and more efficiently use what we have.