Giant wind turbines dotting the Montana landscape Š state-of-the-art power plants that use more of Montana's immense coal reserves Š thousands of new wells punched in the prairie to tap methane gas deposits Š ethanol Š biodiesel Š biomass: Montanans are in an energy-development frenzy, scrambling to produce more for our own use and also to take advantage of the nation's growing demand - not just for more power but also for “greener” or more environment-friendly power.
We do need more energy, here and throughout the country. We also could stand to be more strategic about meeting energy needs. While America may never achieve the “energy independence” so many politicians promise, we can become less dependent on foreign suppliers and less vulnerable to volatile markets. We need energy to maintain or improve our quality of life, which is why green power is so appealing: high-polluting Btus can actually cost more in the long-run than cleaner power, even if the full cost isn't always reflected in every month's utility bill.
In a sense, conservation is a source of power. Using less energy frees existing energy supplies to serve new uses. Saving energy avoids pollution. And it's often the cheapest alternative. The cost of conservation generally is less than the cost of new production - all the more so when you factor in environmental costs.
“Conservation” may seem the mantra of the tree-hugging crowd, but it's really just plain good economics. The key to conservation is efficiency, and greater efficiency is good for the bottom line, for your family as well as any business.
You don't have to shiver in the dark to save energy. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, relatively small changes around your house can save perhaps 25 percent on your utility bills. The average family spends an estimated $1,600 on utilities. Conservation measures can reduce that bill and reduce the need for new power plants and gas wells.
What kind of little things? Start with your thermostat. A 1-degree drop in the temperature you keep your home can save as much as 5 percent on heating costs. Insulating can save 10 percent. Something as simple as switching the newer compact florescent light bulbs can reduce the amount of electricity used for lighting by 50 percent to 75 percent. Lighting accounts for about
11 percent of total electricity consumption; if everyone changed to those more efficient bulbs, the combined savings would be tremendous. The International Energy Agency says efficient lighting could reduce worldwide electricity consumption by 10 percent.
Seventy-five percent of the power used by electronic devices is consumed when those devices are switched “off” - many continue drawing power when not in use. Plugging computers, televisions, DVD players and other devices into a power strip and then switching the power strip off when not in use will save kilowatts and money. Enabling your computer's “sleep” mode, rather than using a screen saver is another simple power saver.
Showering more and bathing less Š weather-stripping doors and caulking windows Š reducing the temperature setting on your water heater a degree or two Š paying attention to energy-use ratings and choosing energy-efficient computers and appliances - these and other simple, affordable measures promise significant savings - both in your utility bills and in the need for new energy supplies.
Homeowners can easily recoup many of their investments in conservation, increasing the resale value of their homes as well as saving on monthly bills. Renters may find themselves in a different situation. Many landlords choose not to invest in energy-saving measures, especially in the older dwellings that need them most. Renters still can conserve through living practices, but they also can factor in energy use and costs when choosing a dwelling to rent. That cheap apartment might not seem such a good deal once you add in the utility bills and environmental costs.
We're not going to conserve our way to energy independence. But the energy we could save through relatively simple, economical measures is far greater, greener and more sustainable than is ever likely to be generated, say, with wind turbines. Conservation doesn't require new powerlines and pipelines crisscrossing the West; isn't subject to the whims of dictators and terrorists, doesn't force us to divert farmland, water and food for energy production; and doesn't spew pollutants into the air.
Conservation isn't the last word in meeting our energy needs, but it ought to be our first instinct.
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