Western States Short-term Energy Conservation Strategy

Many Western states are facing unprecedented problems with the price and reliability of their energy supplies. These problems demand long-term strategies and careful, coordinated solutions to increase investment in new energy supplies, energy transportation infrastructure, and energy efficiency. In the short-term, however, the states must work together to free up electricity supplies to avert shortages and mitigate future higher energy prices in many states this winter, next summer, and across the next few years.

In particular, the states are encouraged to urge consumers at all levels to reduce their use of electricity. Here are four strategies for the states to execute that address the energy conservation issue identified in the ‘Five Point Plan’ adopted at the Western Electricity Emergency Meeting in Denver on December 20, 2000.

Strategy 1

Conduct a coordinated state-by-state media campaign to inform the public about the severity of the problem and to highlight their responsibility for achieving short-term solutions. The campaigns should highlight the following points:

  • Many Western states are facing power shortages that threaten the safe, reliable flow of power throughout the region.
  • The unprecedented high prices some utilities are paying for electricity and natural gas supplies will translate to escalating prices for consumers in all states and to a growing threat to our economy in the West.
  • The interconnected nature of electricity generation and distribution across the region means that no state is immune from the effects of power shortages and high prices.
  • Until new generation is built, existing generation will need to be pushed to its maximum capacity, threatening the reliability of the West’s generation resources when they are needed most and posing potential environmental harm, especially to fish, water quality and air quality.
  • Individual conservation acts as small as turning off unneeded lights will help save money, avoid blackouts and protect the environment.

Strategy 2

Each state is encouraged to develop a specific strategy for providing personal and practical information to all homes, businesses and public agencies that details steps they can take to reduce energy use and manage and reduce costs during times of energy shortage, such as:

  • Homes:
  1. Lower water-heating temperature settings and use less hot water
  2. Lower space-heating temperature settings
  3. Raise air conditioning temperature settings
  4. Use less artificial lighting or shift to compact florescent lights
  5. Shift using appliances to off-peak hours
  6. Clean or replace furnace and air-conditioner filters
  7. Find and seal air leaks
  8. Seek help from programs offering budget billing and energy assistance
  • Business and industry:
  1. Lower space-heating temperature settings
  2. Raise air-conditioning temperature settings
  3. Use less artificial indoor lighting and maximize energy efficient lighting
  4. Turn off outdoor display lighting
  5. Turn off unused equipment or shift its use to off-peak hours.

Strategy 3

In states with immediate shortages, encourage utilities to establish and expand voluntary programs for electricity users to reduce non-essential consumption of electricity.

  • During the recent Northwest energy warning, the demand exchange programs with large electricity consumers operated by BPA, PGE, PacfiCorp, Avista and others yielded several hundred megawatts of savings.
  • These savings could be increased dramatically if such programs were expanded to include additional large consumers and if more utilities established such demand-exchange programs.
  • Where possible state utility regulatory commissions and publicly owned utilities should seek to adopt tariffs that send consumers appropriate price signals about the cost of electricity at the time of use.

Strategy 4

Especially in those areas with immediate shortages of energy, encourage public agencies across the Western states, including local governments and school districts, to conserve energy.

  • In states with immediate shortages, targeting a 10 percent reduction by all public bodies would result in substantial electricity savings.
  • A 10 percent reduction can be targeted by, among other actions, reducing lighting, turning down thermostats, eliminating space heaters and other supplemental heating where possible, and turning off computers and other office equipment.

  

Jane Dee Hull
Governor of Arizona

Bill Owens
Governor of Colorado

Dirk Kempthorne
Governor of Arizona

Kenny Guinn
Governor of Nevada

Gary Johnson
Governor of New Mexico

John A. Kitzhaber, M.D.
Governor of Oregon

Michael O. Leavitt
Governor of Utah

Gary Locke
Governor of Washington

Jim Geringer
Governor of Wyoming

Page last updated 10/10/1999