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Strategies & Market Trends : Rande Is . . . HOME -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: American Spirit who wrote (49913)	3/29/2001 8:47:12 AM
From: Rande Is	Read Replies (3) \| Respond to of 57584

OT> Spirit, I don't know about all the political statements. . . .but to any political argument, perhaps the most appropriate answer "blah blah blah" . . . as it all comes down to "who has the power". . . .so many political arguments are in vane. And in California, the power is in the hands of the powers that be. The people have a small voice in the matter. And conservation may not bring about the 30% power reduction that you believe it could. It just isn't that simple. Who needs all the bright lights? Why Vegas does of course!, as do the many entertainment-oriented businesses in California. . . . and air-conditioning? The Elderly need the air-conditioning. Small children and Hospitals NEED air-conditioning. Stores that sell perishables require cool air. Manufacturing plants are by far the biggest power consumer. . . . . and must continue using the power to stay in business, not to mention that they typically require climate control within their factories. High-rise offices loaded with hot-running computers REQUIRE air-conditioning. High-rise condos and apartments without cross-ventilation. Hotels. Schools. Restaurants. Shopping malls. Airports. Movie Theatres. Auditoriums. In fact, it might be quicker to list who DOESN'T need air-conditioning! Granted the need varies. Some need it for reasons of safety. Others need it for reasons of commerce. And the smallest group needs it for comfort, IMO. And that is why I don't believe conservation will have nearly the effect that you do. Maybe 15% to 18% voluntary savings. . . that's about it. Rolling Blackouts are still the biggest energy saver, IMO. But if we were just to focus on this comfort group, which primarily includes single-family dwellings. . . we would have to further break down the list by location. If you live near the ocean and enjoy the marine layer that blocks the sun the first 5 hours of the day. . . and with the mild climate and the cool winds that blow in that area, you probably don't need air-conditioning at all during the summer months. And certainly those in parts of Northern California need it less than those in the mostly desert regions of Southern California. . . generally speaking. But to take it to the other extreme. . . families living in lower desert areas like Baker, Barstow, Twenty-Nine Palms, Indio, Coachella, Palm Springs and the Desert Cities, and many other desert communities REQUIRE air-conditioning during the summer. You simply cannot live in a house when the outside temperature reaches the 120 to 130 degree range. . . typical in these cities. . . .where it is all too often over 90 degrees at 2AM with no air moving. And when you move into the valleys and inland cities where the heat gets in the 105 to 115 range for an extended period throughout the summer, families with small children or elderly would be hard pressed to leave the A/C off. And we must consider that many families already conserve energy as much as they reasonably can. . . .by course of habit and economy. So when we discuss conservation of energy in California, we aren't really talking about a blanket conservation. Not even close! Many will not be able to conserve at all. Some will only be able to conserve perhaps 10% without running into major problems. Perhaps those needing it for commerce may cut back by 10 or 15%, but I doubt they will sacrifice their business for the cause. Only those abusing and over-using it for reasons of comfort alone may reach the 30% range you propose. And that is a disproportionate minority that could only save a very small overall percentage of energy, IMO. And there is the crux of the problem. The need for energy is vast and there simply aren't enough A/C glutons out there to make a huge difference with conservation, IMO. In this overcrowded state, retailers of all types must compete for patrons. OK, are you ready for this?. . . . I could actually envision retailers and shopping centers actually bumping UP their A/C and advertising "Ice Cold Air-Conditioned Shopping Zone". . . which would attract MANY families who are literally tired of conserving. I could see this working to bring about a net decrease in energy consumption on the local level. And of course it would work especially well during August, which is miserable in most parts of Southern California. . . and when most people's energy bills are highest. And while such action may anger many, there is reason to believe that "high-capacity air-conditioning zones" could arguably help conservation, as more families realize that they can save both energy and money by "hanging out" in cool malls and theatres throughout the summer. . . instead of sweating it out at home. I don't know if this has ever been tried, but I could see it working in some communities. . . especially if the cities would work with theatres to offer special family matinee pricing or other such lures to attract the population. . . perhaps even live entertainment. And we aren't even discussing the attitude of "me" that helped make this state the small superpower that it is. I.E. Some people won't care or conserve at all. . . but will just pay the price and expect the service. This is the same group that often has a stack of parking tickets and give the term "Californian" a bad name. One thing is for certain. . . Any issue that involves California is extremely complicated. . . and rarely what it seems. I am sure that there are many technical issues that we have not even thought to raise, which bear heavily on the power issue there. . . not to mention the state and regional politics. . . .which now brings us full circle. Rande Is

To: American Spirit who wrote (49913)	3/29/2001 9:29:33 AM
From: maverick61	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 57584

AS - I, and I am sure a host of others, would appreciate it if you would keep your one-sided, inflammatory and mindless political commentary to yourself. It serves no real purpose here. Thank you By the way, if you want to look at the real issues behind the California energy crisis - you need to go back to the failed LOCAL governmental policy and community desires / demands for no new power plants, no nukes, etc. Then next you can focus your attention on California's botched attempt at electricity de-regulation in 1996. Pretty hard to lay the blame anywhere but at your doostep when you see that 49 states don't have an electricity problem - and 1 does.