January 18, 2007
Editorial

Winning Conservation Ideas

Energy conservation is usually a ruse used by tree huggers and environmental extremists bent on making life as uncomfortable as possible for human beings while promoting their “nature-is-better” agenda.

However, every once in a while, common sense prevails and conservation ideas come along that actually help citizens and save energy at the same time.

Two ideas being discussed by the Lincoln County Power District fall into this category.

The first one is a “light bulb exchange” program where local residents can turn in their incandescent light bulbs for energy-efficient “compact fluorescent” lights.

While the project is slated to cost the District $10,000, it should save twice as much in electricity costs for consumers and LCPD.

The second program will provide a $135 rebate to home and business owners who opt for the more energy-efficient air conditioning and heat pump units which sport a SEER rating of 15 or better.

Unlike too many Federal programs which put heavy burdens on businesses and homeowners to spend big bucks on questionable devices and techniques allegedly and often erroneously designed to “save” Mother Nature, these two projects actually reward citizens who make the effort to conserve electricity.

It’s also nice to have a quasi-governmental agency using the carrot instead of endlessly going to the stick to force citizens to change their ways.

While the programs won’t go into effect until later this year, it’s important for residents of Lincoln County to be aware of them now before it’s time to make decisions about the coming air-conditioning season.

Once the District pulls the trigger on these projects, it will be up to the community to participate.

LCPD has done their job in developing these new programs.

In the coming months, it will be time for all of us to do ours.