Well, as if we didn't have enough reasons to hate those Californians we have this article about California companies leaving unneeded lights on so that when they are told to cut consumption by 15% they won't be affected as much.

I've heard a couple stories about Oregonians going down South to find mostly empty buildings with all their lights blazing and a general apathy with the whole "power emergency" that we've been spoonfed by the Powers That Be. Heck, my own father in-law is refusing to turn off his hot tub when it's not in use.

While it is debatable whether we actually do have a shortage, what is not debatable is that Bonneville is not opening the gates to let the smolts through. Instead they are being whooshed through the turbines for sturgeon chow downstream.

It's all sickening. Just remember all of this 3-4 years from now when another one of our runs of fish crashes.

That is not CALIFORNIANS, thats Corporate America! I bet any company in OR or WA would do the same thing if faced with those conditions. Corporate America has no regard for anyone else but themselves no matter what state they reside in!


[ 07-05-2001: Message edited by: MasterBaiter ]

Agreed that this story is specifically about HP and other companies and their lack of power savings, but it goes much further than that. The majority opinion down there is that there is no "shortage" and so they are continuing their overuse of electricity. Tom Leykis has done at least one radio show so far saying he doesn't believe in the shortage and he then encourages everyone to use as much electricity as possible.

My wife and I still haven't used our AC even with our little ones, instead choosing to go to friends and familys houses to indulge in their AC so the kids won't get sick from the heat.

It doesn't help that we are in a drought. What makes it worse are these companies and private individuals that refuse to pick up their share of the burdon.

Thanks for the civil reply!


Actually this Jockey slingin the horse hockey is not of the consensus, he is probably just trying to stir controversy to boost his career!


The majority of us, especially those who have been blacked out, know that it is very real! This is no joking matter, it can actually be frightening sometimes. Energy is readily available but no one can afford it, the producers are gouging the HELL out of us! I worked my ASS off for the last year to get more financially stable and someone else is stealing money out of my pocket for a commodity that is a necessity in this day and age. All of my savings has gone too the power company and increased home efficiency to the tune of approximately $5K . My utility bill suddenly skyrocketet 300% in January, without warning? The power producers are going to get caught just wait and see! Although GWB will protect them just as he is doing now.


There are alot of facts behind this issue that get conveniently twisted or left out when translated to the masses!


Thomas

[ 07-05-2001: Message edited by: MasterBaiter ]

You guys actually use A/C out here, David?

This is late November weather back home. :p :p :p Wait until the heat index makes it about 120, then maybe I'll let you turn the A/C on, but only after you cut the hay out of the back forty. Ah memories, and don't forget your gallon jug of sweet tea to carry with you on the tractor

There has been reports of power generating stations in Cali shutting down generators until power is at peak demand, this drives the price up.
Another thing that drives the price up was a survey doen in LA. 86% of the people don't think there is any energy crisis. They feel that everything is fine, it's just the power company's gouging them.
Yes the power company's are gouging them, but they have built no new generating stations in Cali, we have record low flows up here.
They need to get on the ball down there and quit screwing us and our fish over!!

Those Utopian LA IDIOTS are the root of ALL problems in CA. They think money will solve anything, WRONG! Hopefully the "Big One" is COMING and that City will be GOING! Then some water might be allowed to reach to ocean.

The problem is not supply per say in California, the problem is realiability. Under deregulation, the power companies don't have to maintain any level of production. As a result, they don't. They are free to turn the generators on and off whenever they want. They can leave the generators off if the price is low, thereby driving up the prices. When the demand and the price is high enough, they turn on the generators and make a ton of cash very quickly.

But let's not blame the folks in Los Angles. In fact, they have the solution to the entire problem - public power. LA has it's own power supply and transmission capabilities. Their first responsibility is to their own customers, not the open market. Therefore, while the rest of California and the Pacific Northwest get hit with high energy bills and blackouts, LA still has reasonable rates and no blackouts. That's the way it is supposed to work.